Henry's Songbook

As I was on my rambles I came from Dover to Carlisle
The town was full of rebels, and you might have heard them for a mile
I stepped in the 'Grapes' to see what entertainment I could find
Not being brisk I ran the risk and I called for a pint o' wine
And spied a handsome bonnie lass, the flower of France and England

I'd been in a hurry, I for a private room did call
They sent me to the caddy, the lad that rings the morning bell
But in there came this brisk young dame, she said, Kind sir, come follow me
It is not fit for you to sit among such roving company
My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England

She took me to a chamber where everything was neat and clean
She said, Young sir, it is not fit you should have something on to dine
The table soon she covered o'er, the dinner soon she did bring in
She looked not like an idle slut nor one that was not taught to spin
My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England

But I could not take my dinner for thinking on this pretty maid
And if I could but win her I would not care how long I stayed
I rang the bell, she heard the knell and straight to me she did repair
I said, My dear, the table's drawn, come sit beside me on this chair
My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England

She said, Young sir, you are as bad as any in this house this night
They are drunk and you are mad, or else you would not speak the like
Take up the cup and drink it up and drive such fancies out by sleep
For if you dreamed you had me wed I'm sure you would arise and weep
My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England

But I could not fall a-sleeping for thinking of this bonnie lass
That spent her time a-scouring among the pewter and the brass
I rang the bell, she heard the knell and straight to me she did repair
I said, We'll to St. Mary's Church and there we will and do this care
My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England

So we've gone to St. Mary's and there the priest the knot has tied
I hied home my bonnie bride as fast as ever I could hie
To Scotland broad we've ta'en the road till we've come tae Balquhidder's braes
And the servants all did skip and dance to see the lord's and lady's face
My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England