Inglis Collection of printed music > Printed music > Composite music volumes containing different issues of Thomson's octavo collection of the songs of Burns and Sir Walter Scott > Volumes 3-4 > Select melodies of Scotland, interspersed with those of Ireland and Wales

26
THE LASS OF PATIE'S MILL.
WRITTEN
BY ALLAN RAMSAY.
-1 HE lass of Patie's mill,
So bonny, blythe, and gay,
In spite of all ray skill,
She stole my heart away.
When tedding of the hay,
Bareheaded on the green,
Love 'midst her locks did play,
And wanton'd in her een.
Without the help of art,
Like flovv'rs that grace the wild,
She did her sweets impart
W T hene'er she spoke or smiled.
Her looks they were so mild,
Free from affected pride,
She me to love beguiled ;
I wish'd her for my bride.
O had I all the wealth
That Hopeton's mountains fill,*
Insured long life and health,
And pleasure at my will :
I'd promise and fulfil,
That none but bonny she,
The lass of Patie's mill,
Should share the same wi' me.
* Alluding to the Lead Hills, belonging to the Earl of Hope-
ton, thirty-three miles south-west of Edinburgh.
Ramsay's right to this Song having been questioned, the Editor
shall here quote what Burns has left on record concerning it.
" The following anecdote, which I had from the present Sir
" William Cunningham of Robertland, who had it of the
" late John Earl of Loudon, I can on such authorities be-
" lieve,
" Allan Ramsat was residing at Loudon Castle with the then
" Earl, father to Earl John ; and one forenoon, riding or
" walking out together, his Lordship and Allan passed a
" sweet romantic spot on Irvine Water, still called ' Patie's
" Mill,' where a bonnie lass was ' tedding hay, bareheaded
" on the green.' My Lord observed to Allan, that it
" would be a fine theme for a song. Ramsay took the hint,
" and lingering behind, he composed the first sketch of it,
" which he produced at dinner."