Annie Laurie

Melody - Seq. by Barry Taylor

Left, traditional; right, from C. K. Sharpe, A Ballad Book, 1823

Max Welton's braes are bonnie
Where early falls the dew
And 'twas there that Annie Laurie
|: Gave me her promise true. :|
That ne'er forgot shall be
And for Bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me doon and dee.

2. Her brow is like the snowdrift
Her nape is like the swan
And her face it is the fairest
|: That 'ere the sun shone on. :|
And dark blue is her E'e
And for Bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me doon and dee.

3. Like dew on the gowan lyin'
Is the fall of her fairy feet
And like winds in the summer sighing
|: Her voice is low and sweet. :|
And she's all the world to me
And for Bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me doon and dee.

Maxwelton banks are bonnie,
Where early fa's the dew;
Where me and Annie Laurie
|: Made up the promise true; :|
And never forget will I,
And for bonny Annie Laurie
I'd lay down my head and die.

2. She's backit like a peacock,
She's breastit like a swan,
She's jimp about the middle,
|: Her waist ye weill may span; :|
And she has a rolling eye,
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay down my head and die.

"Gowan" being (I think) "daisy, or maybe "buttercup" - with thanks to Robert Orr.

Sir Robert Laurie, first baronet of the Maxwelton family, had three sons and four daughters, of whom Annie was much celebrated for her beauty, and made a conquest of Mr. Douglas of Fingal, who is said to have composed these verses- under an unlucky star, for the lady afterwards married Mr. Fergusson of Craigderroch. - Bruce Olson.

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