Bonnie Broom

from the collection of Ann O’Hayen Price

There was a lady lived in the North
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
And she had lovely daughters three
Fa la la la la la la la la la

There was a knight of noble worth
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
Who also lived into the north
Fa la la la la la la la la la

O late one night it was cold and bright
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
This knight he knocked at the lady’s gate
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The eldest daughter she let him in
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
O-pen the door with a silver pin
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The second daughter she’s made his bed
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
And linens in place so fine she spread
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The youngest daughter so fair and bright
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
In one bed lay with this noble knight
Fa la la la la la la la la la

Now that you’ve had your will of me
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
O then kind sir, will you marry me?
Fa la la la la la la la la la

When you have answered me questions three
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
O then fair maid, we will married be
Fa la la la la la la la la la

O what is louder than the horn
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
and what is sharper than the thorn
Fa la la la la la la la la la

O thunder’s louder than the horn
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
and hunger’s sharper than the thorn
Fa la la la la la la la la la

And what is longer than the way
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
and what is deeper than the sea
Fa la la la la la la la la la

O love is longer than the way
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
and hell is deeper than the sea
Fa la la la la la la la la la

O what is greener than the grass
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
And what’s more wicked than a woman e’er was
Fa la la la la la la la la la

O envy’s greener than the grass
Lay the bend tae the bonnie broom
And the devil more wicked than a woman e’er was
Fa la la la la la la la la la