Lyrics:

How blythe was I each morn tae see
My lass come o'er yon hill
She tripped a burn and ran tae me
I met her with good will.

O the broom, the bonnie, bonnie broom
The broom o the Cowdenknowes
Fain wad I be in my ain country
Herding my faither's yowes

[extra verse found in some other versions]
We neither herded ewes nor lamb
While the flock near us lay
She gathered in the sheep at night
And cheered me all the day

Hard fate that I should banished be
Gang wearily and mourn
Because I loved the fairest lass
That ever yet was born

Fareweel, ye cowdenknowes, fareweel
Fareweel all pleasures there
Tae wander by her side again
Is all I crave or care