The Bodleian ballad collection has several versions of this. The following lyrics are mostly from 2806 c.16(116), but I borrowed phrases from other versions to improve the meter when I was able to do so. I also added punctuation.


BONNY BLUE HANDKERCHIEF

1. As I was a-walking one morning in May,
A bonny young lassie came tripping that way.
With cheeks red as roses, she cheerful did sing
With a bonny blue handkerchief tied under her chin.

2. "Where so fast?" said I, and caught her round the waist.
"I am going to my work, sir," she said in great haste,
"To work in yon factory where cotton I spin,
With my bonny blue handkerchief tied under my chin."

3. "Why wear you that handkerchief tied round your head?"
"It's my country fashion, kind sir," she said,
"And you know that the fashion I like to be in,
With my bonny blue handkerchief under my chin."

4. "Why wear you the colour that grows in yon vale?"
"Because it's true blue, sir; that never will fail.
Like the sailor's blue jacket that fights for the Queen
Is my bonny blue handkerchief under my chin."

5. When to kiss her sweet lips he was going to begin,
"O stop, sir," said she, "while I tell you one thing:
He that kisses these lips must first show a gold ring
To this bonny blue handkerchief under my chin."

6. With gold and with silver I tried all in vain.
She smiled in my face and with scornful disdain
Cried, "Your gold and your silver not one kiss shall win
From the bonny blue handkerchief under my chin.

7. "This bonny blue handkerchief my love he gave me,
And told me that colour would never false be;
So to him I'll prove true as the colour that's in
This bonny blue handkerchief under my chin."

8. When he found her so loyal, he could not forbear.
He flew to her arms and he called her his dear.
"My own dearest jewel, here is the gold ring,
To that bonny blue handkerchief tied under your chin."

9. To church then they went and were married with speed.
Now this loving couple live happy indeed.
When their day's work is over, how happy they sing
Of her bonny blue handkerchief under her chin.