Bess Is Young, And Bess Is Fair Poem by Carolina Oliphant

Air - 'Bess the Gawkie.'


Bess is young, and Bess is fair,
Wi' light blue e'en, and yellow hair;
And few there be that can compare
Wi' Bess, tho' she's a Gawkie.
When first o' Bess I got a keek,
Wi' smiles and dimples on her cheek,
I lang'd to hear the lassie speak,
But, wae's me! what a Gawkie!

Bess should like a picture be,
Nailed to a wa' whar a' might see,
And mickle thought o' she wad be,
And no kent for a Gawkie.
Oh, steek your mouth, then, cousin dear,
And nae mair havers let us hear;
Oh, steek out your mouth, and never fear,
Ye'se no be ca'd a Gawkie.