THE LICHTBOB'S LASSIE

The Lichtbob's Lassie
Traditional

First fin I cam ‘tae the toon,
They ca’d me young an’ bonnie;
Noo they’ve chang’d my name,
Ca’d me the lichtbob’s honey.

First fin I cam’ tae the toon,
They ca’d me proud an’ saucy;
Noo they’ve changed my name,
Ca’d me the lichtbob’s lassie.

I’ll dye my petticoats red,
And face them wi’ the yellow:
I’ll tell the dyster lad
That the lichtbobs I’m tae follow.

Feather beds are saft,
Painted rooms are bonnie;
I will leave them a’,
An’ jog awa’ wi’ Johnnie.

Oh, my back’s been sair,
Shearin’ Craigie’s corn:
I winna see him the nicht,
But I’ll see him the morn.

Oh for Saterday nicht,
Syne I’ll see my dearie,
He’ll come whistlin’ in,
Fan I am tired an’ weary.

Footnote: An alternative version of last week’s song ‘The Leaboy’s Lassie’ but instead of the love interest being a herd boy, this time it is a soldier. At least that was the opinion of the late Dr Hamish Henderson who found references to lichtbobs as being soldiers, This would appear to be borne out by the colours the lassie intends to dye her petticoats. Hamish played a major role in the Scottish Folk Revival and it was always a pleasure, indeed an education, to meet him. He is sadly missed.