Here's the version from Ord's Bothy Songs and Ballads (1930), page 187. No tune - but it scans to the tune provided by Kennedy. The Ord book does not have any background notes or source information.

THE ROSE AND THE THYME.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry that my fortune's been so bad,
Since I've fa'en in love wi' a young sailor lad;
He courted me by night and he courted me by day,
And now he has left me and went far away.

My love sent me a letter that he was lying bad,
I sent him another I did not him regard;
He sent me another wi' the red rose so fine,
I sent him another wi' the rue and the thyme.

Keep ye the red rose, love, and I'll keep my thyme,
Drink ye to your true love, and I'll drink to mine;
I'll eat when I'm hungry, and drink when I'm dry,
And rest when I am wearied, contented am I.

Oh! are ye waiting your fortune to advance?
Or are ye awaiting a far better chance?
Ore are ye keeping me laid up for you in store?
Or do ye mean to tell me that ye love me no more?

I am not waiting my fortune to advance,
Nor am I awaiting a far better chance;
Nor am I keeping you laid up for me in store,
Nor do I intend for to mind you any more.

Once did love you but now I you disdain,
And it's not for all the world I would e'er love you again;
The more that I loved you the prouder still you grew,
So ye may keep the thyme, love, and I will keep the rue.