Lyric. Add: I'M FROM OVER THE MOUNTAIN
(From Sam Henry, H161a, p. 459. With music)

It happened to be on a moonshiny night
That I took a notion to marry.
I drew to my hat, took my staff in my hand,
Just as I had been in a hurry.
I urged along where I oftimes had been.
My heart it rejoiced when my charmer was seen.
I lifted the latch and I bade her 'Good e'en'.
Says I, 'I'm from over the mountain.'

'What notion of jesting came into your head?
I'm glad for to meet you so merry.
It's twelve by the clock and the old folk in bed.
Speak low or you'll waken my mammy.'
'If that be a jest, then it's jesting, that's true.
I've courted a year and I think that'll do,
So this very nicht I will marry wi' you,
If you venture wi' me o'er the mountain.'

'Oh no, my wee laddie. I'll stay as I am.
I think it is fitter and better.'
I drew to my hat, took my staff in my hand,
Saying, 'I'll soon put an end to the matter.'
'Oh wait, my wee laddie, till I get my shoes.'
My heart it rejoiced when I heard the glad news.
I drew to the door saying, 'I hope you'll excuse
My simplicity frae over the mountain.'

The moon and the stars luminated the sky.
The morning star was brightly shining
As me and my darling our journey pursued
Till we came to the altar of Hymen.
Wi' fiddling and dancing we spent the whole day,
And the anger of marriage it soon rolled away,
And I unto my wee lassie did say,
'Do you rue coming over the mountain?'

'Oh no, my wee laddie, it's I dinna rue,
I ta'en the advice of my laddie,
And when I am over the mountain wi' you,
I regard not the friends o' my daddy.'
Let that be a warning to every fair maid:
Slip out in the dark when the old folks in bed,
And ne'er be afraid wi' her laddie to wed
Or to venture with him o'er the mountain.

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