Henry's Songbook

I'm a puir rovin' lass and my fortune's been bad
Since I fell in love wi' a bonnie young lad
For I was courted richt early by night and by day
But the lad I lo'e dearly lies a distance away

For I look tae yon high hills but my laddie's no there
And when I look tae yon high hills it mak's my heart sair
And when I look tae yon high hills an' the tear blin's my e'e
For the lad I lo'e dearly lies a distance fae me

Noo my freens and relations they hae a' joined in one
Tae part me frae my true love an' they've done a' they can
Tae part me frae my true love an' they've done a' they know
But the lad I lo'e dearly will love me more so

Noo a bunch o' blue ribbons to my love I'll prepare
And a' the lang summer these ribbons he'll wear
And when he returns tae me ne'er tae part more
I will kiss the sweet lips o' the lad I adore

Repeat 1

(as sung by Cilla Fisher & Artie Trezise)

[1982:] This is a traditional song from the North East of Scotland that expresses a girl's loyalty to her sweetheart. [...] It might be interesting to enquire as to why blue should be the colour associated with constancy. (Douglas, Sing a Song of Scotland 60)