ANNAN WATER

Oh Annan Water's wondrous deep, and my love Annie is wondrous bonny
I'm loath that she should wet her feet, because I love her best of any
Go saddle to me the bonny grey mare, go saddle her soon and make her ready,
For I must cross that river tonight and all to see my bonny lady.

And woe betide you Annan water, at night you are a gloomy river,
And over you I'll build a bridge, that never more true love may sever.

And he has ridden o'er field and fell, o'er moor and moss and many a mire
His spurs of steel sore to bite, and for the mare's feet flew the fire
The more flew on o'er moor and moor and when she'd won the Annan Water
She couldn't have rid a furlong more, had a thousand whips been laid upon her.

And woe betide you Annan water, at night you are a gloomy river,
And over you I'll build a bridge, that never more true love may sever.

Oh, boatman come, put-off your boat; put-off your boat for gold and money,
For I must cross that stream tonight, or never more I'll see my Annie.
The sides are steep, the waters deep, from bank to brae the water's pouring
And you bonny grey mare she sweats for fear, she stands to hear the water roaring.

And woe betide you Annan water, at night you are a gloomy river,
And over you I'll build a bridge, that never more true love may sever.

And he has tried to swim that stream, and he swam on both strong and steady
But the river was broad and strength did fail, and he never saw his bonny lady.
Oh woe betide the willow wand, and woe betide the bush of briar,
For it broke beneath her true love's hands, when strength did fail and limbs did tire.

And woe betide you Annan water, at night you are a gloomy river,
And over you I'll build a bridge, that never more true love may sever
That never more true love may sever.
-----
Traditional
Sung by Nic Jones on "Ballads and Songs.”

See:
http://www.sarcon.demon.co.uk/engfolk/nicjones.htm

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 28-Apr-02.