The Bonny Labouring Boy

As I roved out one morning all in the blooming spring

I overheard a maiden fair most grievously did sing

Saying cruel were my parents who made me feel so sore and woe

They wouldn't let me tarry with my bonny labouring boy

Oh Johnny was my true love's name as you may plainly see

My father he employed him for a labouring boy to be

To harrow, reap and sow the seeds and plough my father's land

And very soon we fell in love as you may understand

My mother said to me one day how can you stoop so low

To marry a poor labouring boy around the world to go

Some noble man might fancy you great treasure you could enjoy

So do not throw your love away on a poor young labouring boy

Oh mother, dearest mother, your words are all in vain

For lords and knights and dukes and earls, their efforts I disdain

I'd rather live a single life where time I could enjoy

Awaiting happy prospects with my bonny labouring boy

Some fifteen pounds of my best clothes I sold that very night

And with the boy that I love best to Belfast we did fly

Yet love had so entangled me, the same I can ne'er deny

It's with my bonny labouring boy I mean to live and die

So fill your glasses to the brim and let the toast go round

And drink to every labouring boy who plows and sows the ground

For when his work is over it's home he will come with joy

And happy is the girl who weds with the bonny labouring boy