Richie - Here's the Here's A Health Unto All True Lovers from MFS. Notes say:

"Sung by Mr.William Gilkie and his mother, Mrs.Sandy Gilkie, Sambro, N.S., September, 1950.

Although this reminds me of "When Barney Flew Over the Hills to His Katie," and "The Drowsy Sleeper," it is neither, and I know of it from no one but Mr.Gilkie."

Let me know if you want the tune posted.

Mick

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HERE'S A HEALTH UNTO ALL TRUE LOVERS

Oh here's a health unto all true lovers
And unto mine where'er she be.
This very night love I mean to be with you,
It's many's a long mile she is from me.

It's let this night be as dark as dungeons
And there no gay light all to appear.
My steps shall guide thee without a stumble
All in the arrums of you, my dear.

It's when he came to his true love's window
He gently knelt down all on the stone,
And through the keyhole he whispered slowly
Saying, "My jewels are you alone?"

She rose her head from her soft white pillow
And almost naked was her lily white breast,
"Who's there, who's there tapping at my window,
Disturbing me from my long night's rest?"

"It is your own true love, pray don't discover
But open the door love and let me in,
For I am wet after my long night's journey,
Besides I'm wet love unto the skin."

It's when this long night was passed and over
And then the cocks they began to crow,
We kissed, shook hands, I in sorrow parted,
I took my leave and from her did go.

Source: Helen Creighton, Maritime Folk Songs, originally from Mr.William Gilkie and his mother, Mrs.Sandy Gilkie, Sambro, N.S., September, 1950.