A fair young maid went up the street

some white fish for to by

a bonnie clerk's fall'n in love with her

and he followed her by and by

oh where are you going my bonnie lass

I pray thee tell to me

oh if the night be never so dark

I'll come and visit thee



my father locks the door at ten

my mother keeps the key

if you were never such a roving blade

you'd never win - in to me

but the clerk he had a brother

and a wily wag was he

he's made him a long ladder

with thirty steps and three



the old wife she was standing by

she heard a word was said

I could lay my life, says the silly old wife

there's a man in our daughter's bed

the old man he got out of bed

to see if the thing was true

but she's taken the bonny clerk in her arms

and covered him o'er with blue



up then got the old silly wife

to see if it were true

and she fell arselins in the creel

and up the string they drew

if that foul thief has gotten you

may he hold you so tight

for you'll never stay in your bed

nor rest with me at night



he's towed her up, he's towed her down

and given her a right down - fall

till every rib an the old wife's side

played nick - nack on the wall

oh the blue, the bonnie bonnie blue

and I wish it may do well

and every old wife that's jealous of her daughter

get a good keach in the creel