Lyrics:

As I cam o’er by Bonny Moor Hill*
Every rose grows bonny in time
I met a wee lass, and they ca’ed her Nell
Longing to be a sweet lover o mine
It’s questions three I’ll ask o thee
Every rose grows bonny in time
And it’s questions three you maun answer me
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
You maun mak me a cambric shirt
Every rose grows bonny in time
Withoot one stitch o your needlework
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
You maun wash it in yonder well
Every rose grows bonny in time
Where water ne’er ran and rain never fell
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
Then dry it oot on yonder thorn
Every rose grows bonny in time
Where blossom ne’er bloomed since Adam was born
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
It’s questions three you’ve asked o me
Every rose grows bonny in time
And it’s questions three you’ll noo answer me
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
You maun get me an acre of land
Every rose grows bonny in time
Atween the saut sea and sea water strand
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
Then plough it aa wi an auld ram’s horn
Every rose grows bonny in time
And then sow it o’er wi one grain of corn
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
You maun sheer it with a sickle of leather
Every rose grows bonny in time
And bind it up wi a peacock’s feather
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
Then stook it o’er on yonder sea
Every rose grows bonny in time
And bring the shell sheaf dry unto me
Before you are a sweet lover o mine
When you’ve done and finished your work
Every rose grows bonny in time
You may call untae me for your cambric shirt
And you shall be a sweet lover o mine