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Sailor Laddie (lyrics)
From Dundee, this song has many cousins from "Songs and ballads ofDundee" edited by Nigel Gatherer. This is a great favourite and it appearson two albums with full instrumentation - Heading Home, Fellsiderecordings, and Dark Pearls, Culburnie, Christine Kydd.
The Sailor Laddie
I've been east an I've been west an I've been in Dundee;
But the bonniest lad that ere I saw, he ploughs the ragin sea.
I've been east an I've been west an I've been in Montrose;
But the bonniest lad that ere I saw, he wears the tarry clothes.
He skips upon the plainsteens an he sails upon the sea;
An he's a bonnie sailor lad, the lad that I gan wi.
His jersey's o the bonnie blue, his jacket's o the white.
He's a curly kep wi a tinsel band, that sailor's ma delight.
I saw ma laddie gan aboot, I saw ma lad set sail.
I saw him turn his ship aboot, awa tae catch the whale.
He bad me aye keep up ma hert, he bad ma nae be dull.
He bad me aye keep up ma hert, till he'd tak me tull himsel.