The Rigs O' Barley

The Rigs o' Barley

(Robert Burns)

 

It was upon a Lammas night,

When corn rigs are bonie,

Beneath the moon's unclouded light,

I held awa to Annie;

The time flew by, wi tentless heed;

Till, 'tween the late and early,

Wi sma' persuasion she agreed

To see me thro the barley.

 

Chorus:

Corn rigs, an barley rigs,

An corn rigs are bonie:

I'll ne'er forget that happy night,

Amang the rigs wi Annie.

 

The sky was blue, the wind was still

The moon was shining clearly.,

I set her down, wi right good will,

Amang the rigs o barley:

I ken't her heart was a' my ain;

I lov'd her most sincerely;

I kiss'd her owre and owre again,

Amang the rigs o barley.

 

Chorus:

 

I lock'd her in my fond embrace;

Her heart was beating rarely:

My blessings on that happy place,

Amang the rigs o barley!

But by the moon and stars so bright,

That shone that hour so clearly!

She ay shall bless that happy night

Amang the rigs o barley.

 

Chorus:

 

I hae been blythe wi comrades dear;

I hae been merry drinking;

I hae been joyfu gath'rin gear;

I hae been happy thinking:

But a' the pleasures e'er I saw,

Tho three times doubl'd fairly

That happy night was worth them a',

Amang the rigs o barley.

 

 

Meaning of unusual words:

Rigs=narrow strip of land, ridge

Lammas=legal quarter day on 1 August

tentless heed=without a care

ken't=knew

gath'rin gear=earning money

Done