The broadside, "Glasgow Fair; On the Banks of the Clyde," in which the fellow makes love to her, promises to meet her again, then forgets and crosses the Clyde.
http://www.nls.uk/broadsides/scans/74412273.jpg; Poet's Box, 1869
(Lyrics added by Joe Offer, from the broadside at the above link)
GLASGOW FAIR ON THE BANKS OF THE CLYDE
When I was young and youth did bloom,
Where fancy led me, I did roam;
From town to town the country round,
Through every sylvan shady grove.
Until I came from Scotland by name,
Where beauty shines on every side,
There’s no town there we can compare
With Glasgow fair, on the banks of Clyde.
As I went out in the evening clear,
By the banks of Clyde I chanced to gang,
There I met a weel far'd lass,
Her beauty put me in a trance.
Her cherry cheeks and ruby lips,
Her hair in ringlets down did glide,
And fain would I have kissed her lips
As she walked on the banks of Clyde.
I spier’d at her, and said, fair maid
How far this road do you mean to gang?
A mile or two, kind sir. she said,
Towards a town called Long Govan.
Will you take company my pretty maid,
With one who's willing to make a bride?
So arm in arm without fear of harm,
They walked along the banks of Clyde.
I'm afraid you are from Ireland,
And from Belfast just come o'er;
A sea-port town of great renown,
Towards the north or eastern shore;
That you have left a beauty bright,
Who is well known to be your bride,
Therefore, says she, "'tis dangerous for me
To walk with you on the banks of Clyde."
I said no more but I went with her,
The waters they were running clear,
The small birds gone into their nests,
The moon in glances did appear;
I put my arm around her waist,
Her fears now began to subside,
And ofttimes I kissed her ruby lips
As she lay upon the banks of Clyde.
But what we did, or what we said,
There’s no one breathing here shall know;
Oft times I kissed her ruby lips,
While her colours swift did come and go.
Sir, since you’ve got your will, she says,
I pray make me your lawful bride;
I promised to meet her there again,
But I forgot, and crossed the Clyde.
Tune - original.
From the Poet's Box, 80 London Street, Glasgow