Traditional Scottish Songs
- Comin' Thro' The Rye

There are various versions of this song which appeared in a collection by Thomas Maqnsfield in 1770/1780. Robert Burns made his contribution with his own variation, (not this one) which was not as bawdy as some.


Comin' Thro' The Rye

Gin a body meet a body
Comin' thro' the rye
Gin a body kiss a body
Need a body cry?
Ilka lassie has her laddie
Nane, they say, hae I
Yet a' the lads they smile at me
When comin' thro' the rye.

Gin a body meet a body
Comin' frae the town
Gin a body kiss a body
Need a body frown?
Ilka lassie has her laddie
Nane, they say, hae I
Yet a' the lads they smile at me
When comin' thro' the rye.

'Mang the train there is a swain
I dearly lo'e myself
But what his name or whaur his hame
I dinna care to tell
Ilka lassie has her laddie
Nane, they say, hae I
Yet a' the lads they smile at me
When comin' thro' the rye.

Meaning of unusual words:
Gin=if
ilka=every

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs



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