From: The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Volume 6 by Patrick N. Shuldham-Shaw, Emily B. Lyle; Aberdeen University Press, 1995.

E. My Love A-Growing- recited by Bell Robertson to Gavin Grieg about 1907 in New Pitsligo, Scotland. Probably learned from her mother Jean Gall of Strichen circa 1856.

Oh father, oh father you've done me great wrong
You've wedded me to a child-young bairn
Who lies all night upon my arm
And my bonnie love's lang a-growing.
CHORUS: And growing, growing said the bonnie may
And my bonny love's lang a-growing.

Oh daughter, oh daughter, I've done you no wrong
I've wedded you to an heir o' lan'
And by him ye have mony bullion ban'
And your bonnie love's daily growing.
CHORUS:

But ae nicht afore that it grew dark
They walked doon by her father's park
And he proved the pleasure o' her heart[1]
And she never thocht lang for growing.
CHORUS:

At seven years auld he wis a mairriet man
At eleven years auld he had a young son
At thirteen year his grave was green
And upset your Craigston's growing[2].
CHORUS:

1. an edited line since sark clearly rhymes- the meaning is the same. Nicols, circa 1822: "Then he lifted up her fine Holland sark,"
2. originally spelled Cragston