Annan Waters

Oh Annan Waters wondrous deep, and my love Annie’s wondrous bonny

I loathe that she might wet her feet, because I love her best of any

Go saddle for me my bonny grey mare, go saddle her and make her ready

For I must cross that stream tonight, or never more I’ll see my lady.

 

And wow betide you Annan Waters, by night you are a gloomy river

And over you I’ll build a bridge, that never more true love may sever

 

And he has ridden o’er field and fen, o’er moor and moss and many’s the mire

His spurs of steep were sore to bite sparks from the mare’s hooves that flew like fire

The mare flew on o’er moor and moss and when she reached the Annan Waters

She couldn’t have ridden a furlong more had a thousand whips been laid upon her

 

And wow betide you Annan Waters, by night you are a gloomy river

And over you I’ll build a bridge, that never more true love may sever

 

“Oh boatman come put off your boat; put off your boat for gold and money,

For I must cross that stream tonight, or never more I’ll see my lady. ”

The sides are steep, the waters deep, from bank to brae the water’s pouring,

And the bonny grey mare she sweats for fear; she stands to hear the water’s roaring.

 

And wow betide you Annan Waters, by night you are a gloomy river

And over you I’ll build a bridge, that never more true love may sever

 

And he has tried to swim that steam, and he swam on both strong and steady,

But the river was wide and strength did fail, and never more he’ll see his lady.

And woe betide the willow wan, and woe betide the bush and briar

For the broke beneath her true love’s hand, when strength did fail and limbs did tire.

 

And wow betide you Annan Waters, by night you are a gloomy river

And over you I’ll build a bridge, that never more true love may sever