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As I roved out one morning, it being in the blooming spring,
I heard a lovely maid complain, most grievously did sing;
Saying, "Cruel was my father who did me so annoy,
And will not let me marry my bonny labouring boy.
"Young Johnny was my true love's name as you may plainly see,
My parents they engaged him the labouring boy to be;
To harrow, leave, and sow the seed, and plough my father's land,
But soon I fell in love with him as you may understand.
"My father thought to have me wed onto some lord or peer,
I being the only heiress for 10,000 pounds a year;
I placed my heart on one true love, he was my only joy,
And the nation 'round I wander for my bonny labouring boy.
"For six long months he courted, but little did I know,
That my cruel father would prove my overthrow;
He watched us close one evening down by a shady grove,
Pledging our vows together in constant and of love.
"My father he stepped down to me and took me by the hand,
He swore he'd send young Johnny unto some foreign land;
He locked me in my bedroom my comfort to annoy,
And he left me there to weep and mourn for my bonny labouring boy.
"My mother she came next morning and this to me did say,
'Your father is intended to appoint your wedding day.'"
"I know," the maiden answered, "With him I'd never comply,
But single would I still remain for my bonny labouring boy."
Said the daughter to her mother, "Your plans are all in vain,
Lords, dukes, and noble riches I disdain;
I'll rather live a humble life and my time I would enjoy,
Increasing nature's prospects for my bonny labouring boy."
So, fill your glasses to the brim, let the toast go merrily 'round,
Here's a health to every labouring boy who ploughs and works tilled
ground;
When his day's work is over it's home he'll go with joy,
And happy is the girl that gets a bonny labouring boy.
Sung by Pattie Maher (b.1893) of Flatrock, NL, and published in MacEdward Leach And The Songs Of Atlantic Canada © 2004 Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and Language Archive (MUNFLA). A variant was also collected in 1952 from James Heaney of Stock Cove, NL, by Ken Peacock and published as My Bonny Labouring Boy in Songs Of The Newfoundland Outports, Volume 2, pp.564-565, by the National Museum Of Canada (1965) Crown Copyrights Reserved.
