TELL ME, JESSIE, TELL ME WHY? Tell me, Jessie, tell me why My fond suit you still deny? Is your bosom cold as snow? Did you never feel for woe? Can you hear, without a sigh, Him complain who for you could die? If you ever shed a tear, Hear me, Jessie, hear, O hear! Life to me is not more dear Than the hour brings Jessie here; Death so much I do not fear As the parting moment near. Summer smiles are not so sweet As the bloom upon your cheek; Nor the crystal dew so clear As your eyes to me appear. These are part of Jessie's charms, Which the bosom ever warms; But the charms by which I 'm stung, Come, O Jessie, from thy tongue! Jessie, be no longer coy; Let me taste a lover's joy; With your hand remove the dart, And heal the wound that 's in my heart. THE HAWTHORN. Last midsummer's morning, as going to the fair, I met with young Jamie, wh'as taking the air; He ask'd me to stay with him, and indeed he did prevail, Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- That blooms in the valley, that blooms in the vale, Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale. He said he had loved me both long and sincere, That none on the green was so gentle and fair; I listen'd with pleasure to Jamie's tender tale, Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- That blooms in the valley, &c. "Oh, haste," says he, "to hear the birds in the grove, How charming their song, and enticing to love! The briers that with roses perfume the passing gale, And meet the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale"-- That blooms in the valley, &c. His words were so moving, and looks soft and kind, Convinced me the youth had nae guile in his mind; My heart, too, confess'd him the flower of the dale, Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- That blooms in the valley, &c. Yet I oft bade him go, for I could no longer stay, But leave me he would not, nor let me away; Still pressing his suit, and at last did prevail, Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- That blooms in the valley, &c. Now tell me, ye maidens, how could I refuse? His words were so sweet, and so binding his vows! We went and were married, and Jamie loves me still, And we live beside the hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- That blooms in the valley, that blooms in the vale, We live beside the hawthorn that blooms in the vale. OH, BLAW, YE WESTLIN' WINDS![27] Oh, blaw, ye westlin' winds, blaw saft Amang the leafy trees! Wi' gentle gale, frae muir and dale, Bring hame the laden bees; And bring the lassie back to me, That 's aye sae neat and clean; Ae blink of her wad banish care, Sae lovely is my Jean.