Annan Water’s
Nic Jones
G D
Oh Annan Water’s wondrous deep
C D
And my love Annie’s wondrous bonny
G D
I’m loath that she should wet her feet
C D
Because I love her best of any.
G D
Go saddle to me the bonny grey mare
C D
Go saddle her soon and make her ready
G D
For I must cross that stream tonight
C D
And all to see my bonnie lady.
G D
And he has ridden o’er field and fell
C D
O’er moor and moss and many a mire
G D
His spurs of steel were sore to bide
C D
And from the mare’s feet flew the fire.
G D
The mare flew on o’er moor and mire
C D
But when she’d wan the Annan Water
G D
She couldn’t have ridden a furlong more
C D
Had a thousand whips been laid upon her.
G D
Oh boatman come put off your boat
C D
Put off your boat for golden money
G D
For I must cross that stream tonight
C D
Or never more I’ll see my Annie.
G D
Oh I was sworn late yestreen
C D
And not by one oath but by many
G D
And for all the gold in fair Scotland
C D
I dare not take ye to your Annie.
G D
The sides are steep the waters deep
C D
From bank to brae the water pouring
G D
And your bonny grey mare she sweats for fear
C D
She stands to hear the water roaring.
G D
And he has tried to swim that stream
C D
And he swam on both strong and steady
G D
But the river was broad and strength did fail
C D
And he never saw his bonny lady.
G D
Oh woe betide the willow wand
C D
And woe betide the bush of brier
G D
For it broke beneath her true love’s hand
C D
When strength did fail and limbs did tire.
G D
And woe betide you Annan Water
C D
This night you are a gloomy river
G D
And over you I’ll build a bridge
C D
That never more true love may sever.