A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

160
SWEET WILLIE AND FAIR ANNIE.
%/VVWV%^'VW«
[This ballad is ver}' popular. There are three poeras on
the same subject in the " Reliques of English poetry,"
all of considerable merit; the one here inserted is taken
from Mr Jamieson's " Popular Ballads,'* who took it
down from the recitation of a lady in Aberbrothick
her memory failed her in a few instances, but the chasms
have been aptly supplied by Mr Jamieson, and are here
printed within brackets.
The story, in whatever it had its origin, was probably in-
tended as an admonition to those, who, after having
plighted tiieir faith to a mistress below their rank in life,
recant for the sake of one with larger possessions. Mo-
rality taught in such strains as the following was sure t*
be convincing.]
Sweet Willie and fair Annie
Sat a' day on a hill ;
And though they had sitten seven year^
They ne'er wad had their fill.
Sweet Willie said a word in haste.
And Annie took it ill :
" I winna wed a tocherless maid^
Against my parent's will."
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