Lyr Req: The Bonnie Labouring Boy

Subject: BONNIE LABOURING BOY: Lyric request
From: Rosie
Date: 22 Dec 97 - 07:41 PM

Has anyone the lyrics to this sweet ballad? I've tried searching under:Bonnie, Bonny, Laboring, and Labouring combined with Boy but was unsuccessful. Appreciate any input. Thanks. Rosie

Subject: RE: BONNIE LABOURING BOY: Lyric request
From: Alice
Date: 22 Dec 97 - 08:25 PM

I tried @Irish @love and didn't see it either, but it seems like someone posted the lyrics to the forum not long ago. Have you tried a forum search? I have it in Colm O Lochlainn's "Street Ballads", six verses, so if you can't find it in the forum I (or someone else I am sure) can post it here. Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: BONNIE LABOURING BOY: Lyric request
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 22 Dec 97 - 08:34 PM

I dunno. I tried Bonn* Lab* Boy and guess what I found?

Subject: RE: BONNIE LABOURING BOY: Lyric request
From: Alice
Date: 22 Dec 97 - 09:03 PM

duuuhhhh... gee, thanks dick!!

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BONNIE LABOURING BOY
From: Jon W.
Date: 23 Dec 97 - 10:49 AM

And just in case that isn't enough here's another slightly different version:

The Bonny Laboring Boy

As I went out one mornin' fair, all in the bloomin' spring,
I overheard a damsel fair, most grievously did sing,
"Oh cruel were my parents, they did me sore annoy,
For they would not let me tarry with my bonnie Irish boy."

Says a mother to her daughter, "Why do you stoop so low?
To marry a poor laborin' boy, around the world to go.
Some noble lord might fancy you, great riches to enjoy,
So do not throw yourself away on a poor laborin' boy."

Says a daughter to her mother, "Your talk is all in vain,
for knights and lords and dukes and earls, I hold them in disdain.
I'd rather live a humble life, my time I would employ
to ekein' happy prospects on my bonnie laborin' boy."

If I had all the money now that great men have in store,
It's freely I'd bestow it on the boy I do adore,
If duty so entangled me, the truth I'd never deny
In the arms of my bonnie laborin' boy I mean to live and die.

So fill your glasses to the brim, and let the toast go round
Here's a health to every laborin' boy that plows and sows the ground,
for when his work is over, it's home he'll go with joy,
and happy is the girl who weds a bonnie laborin' boy.

From "The Green Hills of Ireland" by Boys of the Lough
Sung by Cathal McConnell

Subject: RE: BONNIE LABOURING BOY: Lyric request
From: Peter Dawson
Date: 23 Dec 97 - 02:21 PM

A slighty different version is recorded (I believe) by Ossian. I will try to check, because I think I have the tape.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BONNIE LABOURING BOY
From: Paul Slater
Date: 15 Jan 98 - 11:20 AM

THE BONNIE LABOURING BOY

As I strode out one morning all in the blooming spring
I overheard a fair maid and grievous did she sing
About her cruel parents, they did her so annoy
For they would not let her marry the bonny labouring boy

Now Johnny was her true loves name and as you can plainly see
Employed by her father a labouring boy to be
To harrow, plough and sow the seed upon her fathers land
And soon she fell in love with him, as you can understand

She courted him for twelve long months but little did she know
That her cruel parents did plot their overthrow
They watched them late one evening down in a shady grove
Pledging their joys together in constant bonds of love

Her father stepped up to her and took her by the hand
He swore he'd send young Johnny unto a foreign land
He locked her up in her bedroom her comfort to annoy
And kept her there to weep and mourn for her bonny labouring boy

Her mother came next morning and unto her did say
Your father is intended not to see you thrown away
So boldly she made answer and she made this reply
That single I will still remain, for my bonny labouring boy

For his cheeks are like the roses red, his eyes as black as sloes
He's mild in his behaviour wherever he may go
He's manly neat and handsome and his skin as white as snow
In spite of my parents malice, with my labouring boy I'll go

So come fill your glasses to the brim and let them go merrily round
Here's a health to every labouring boy that plough and till the ground
For when the work is over he'll come back home with joy
And happy is the girl that gets the bonny labouring boy


Rosie,
This version from a tape I bought in 1988/9 of songs by a farmer, John Wesley of Northamptonshire, England

Tape entitled- Brisk and Bonny Lad-Jeff Wesley
Marketed in 1988 by Veteran Tapes, 44 Old St, Haughley, Stowmarket, Suffolk, England. IP14 3NX
Tape No VT116
Hope this is of use,
Cheers
Paul

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