I think it's time for a North American version - although no doubt it had its roots in Scotland. You'll see that it's quite different from other versions.

HERDING LAMBS AMONG THE HEATHER

Being up you (yon?) steep and lonely glen,
And over many's the lofty mountain,
But its dainty glens and rocky dales
Where many's the day I went a-hunting.

One day as I went out a-hunting,
It was there I found my roving fancy.
Down by the burl a-herding lambs,
'Twas there I espied my lovely Nancy.

Her gown it was all striped with green,
Her cloak it was the very color,
And it's in between the stripes were seen,
The bell of the blooming heather.

"Good day," said I, "my bonny lass.
What brings you here amongst the heather?"
"My father he is away from home,
And I must keep his lambs together."

I says, "My dear, if you'll be mine,
And just forsake your father,
In silks and scarlets you will shine
And you'll be the flower amongst the heather."

"Your offer, good sir, I cannot deny,
But to me, you're but a stranger.
Perhaps you are some rich man's son,
And I'm but a poor shepherds's daughter."

"I am my father's heir indeed,
And you are here to check my fancy.
But all his lands I would resign
To go herd lambs with lovely Nancy.

"I've been to balls and masquerades,
I've been to London and Bellheather.
But the bonniest lassie that e'er I spy,
Was herding lambs amongst the heather.

"Here's farewell to balls and masquerades.
My love she's neither proud nor giddy.
She's fairer far than heather bells
Or any saucy painted lady."

So down by the Clyde where streams do glide,
This couple they were joined together.
And it's oftentimes that she blessed the hour
That she herded lambs amongst the heather.


Source: Folksongs of New Brunswick, by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives (1989, Goose Lane Editions), pages 115-117
Singer: James Brown, 1988

Here's what Ives says about the song:

Herding Lambs Among The Heather
Jim claimed he learned this song at home in South Branch from a friend named Jimmy Martin, and it is the most puzzling song in his repertoire for several reasons. First, while its scale is basically mixolydian, the third and sixth degrees are very weak, occurring only rarely—and then in unaccented or passing positions. That particular "gapping" is unusual in the tunes of the area. Second, it is the only song I ever heard Jim sing in which he didn't punch out the meter with his voice but instead let it run in a rough rubato parlando rhythm. Third, I have never found another singer who had even heard of it, nor have I found it in any earlier collections from Maine or the Maritimes. On the other hand, I have found it in Scottish collections, and, while songs of clearly Scottish provenance are to be found in the Maritimes, they are not at all common, the base-line repertoire being rather solidly Anglo-Irish. In other words, "Herding Lambs" not only seems different, it is different. Not that that difference makes it any less a fine song; if anything, it contributes to its distinction.

Tune available on request - but not tonight.
-Joe-