The Shearing's Not For You

England and Scotland, early 19th century.
This version of the words is from York.
The tune is from Scotland.

    It was in the month of May, my bonny lassie o,
    It was in the month of May, my bonny lassie o,
    It was in the month of May
    When the flowers they were gay,
    And the lambs did sport and play, my bonny lassie o.

    O the shearing's not for you, my bonny lassie o,
    O the shearing's not for you, my bonny lassie o,
    The shearing's not for you
    For your back it winna bow,
    And your belly's rolling fu', my bonny lassie o.

    Don't you mind on yonder hill, my bonny laddie o,
    Don't you mind on yonder hill, my bonny laddie o,
    Don't you mind on yonder hill
    When you swore you would me kill
    If you did not get your will, my bonny laddie o.

    Don't you mind the banks of Ayr, my bonny laddie o,
    Don't you mind the banks of Ayr, my bonny laddie o,
    Don't you mind the banks of Ayr
    When you drew me in your snare,
    And you left me in despair, my bonny laddie o.

    Tis you may kill me dead, my bonny laddie o,
    Tis you may kill me dead, my bonny laddie o,
    Tis I'll not kill you dead
    Nor make your body bleed,
    Nor marry you with speed, my bonny lassie o.

    The fifes do sweetly play, my bonny lassie o,
    The fifes do sweetly play, my bonny lassie o,
    The fifes do sweetly play
    And the troops do march away,
    And it's here I will not stay, my bonny lassie o.

    O the shearing's not for you, my bonny lassie o,
    O the shearing's not for you, my bonny lassie o,
    The shearing's not for you
    For your back it winna bow,
    And your belly's rolling fu', my bonny lassie o.