Page:The Book of Scottish Song.djvu/58

40 [ song, which is remarkable for its beauty and ballad-like simplicity. wrote to the tune of "Bonnie Jean," and sent it to Thomson for his collection. Thomson inserted it, but adapted it to the tune of "Willie was a wanton wag." The heroine was Miss Jean Macmurdo (aftorwards Mrs. Crawford) eldest daughter of John Macmurdo, Esq. of Drumlanrig. "I have not painted her," says the poet, "in the rank which she holds in life, but in the dress and character of a cottager."]

[ appears in Ramsay's Tea Table Miscellany, but is probably of older date. The tune of "My jo Janet" is in some old authorities called "The Keeking Glass."]

sir, for your courtesie,

When ye come by the Bass, then,

For the love ye bear to me,

Buy me a keekin' glass, then.

Keek into the draw-well,

Janet, Janet;

There ye'll see your bonnie sell,

My jo Janet.

Keekin' in the draw-well clear,

What if I fa' in, sir?

Then a' my kin' will say and swear

I droun'd myself for sin, sir.

Hand the better by the brae,

Janet, Janet;

Haud the better by the brae,

My jo Janet.

Gude sir, for your courtesie,

Comin' through Aberdeen, then,

For the love ye bear to me,

Buy me a pair o' sheen, then.