The Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre

Melody - Seq. by Pat Van Horn

As I went o'er yon meadow,
And carelessly passed along
I listened with pleasure to Jeannie
Mournfully singing this song.
Chorus:
O, the muckin' o' Geordie's byre,
And swilling the drain so clean
It's caused me to spend the night sleepless,
And brought the salt tears to my e'en.

2. O it wasn't my father's intention,
Nor was it my mother's desire,
That e'er I should puddle my fingers
With the muckin' o' Geordie's byre.
Chorus:

3. My brothers upbraid me daily
For being with Geordie so free.
My sisters they call me hoodwinked
Because he's below my degree.
Chorus:

4. Though the days be ever so dreary,
And the roads be muddy and foul,
I'd aye be going with Geordie
For I like it better than school.
Chorus:

5. And it's well do I love my Geordie,
Although he is cunning and sly.
He calls me his love and his dearie,
And I'm sure that my Geordie loves me.
Chorus:

This is from the singing of Jean Redpath; she says there is a shorter version in Herd's Scottish Songs, vol. 2, 1869, and that there's also a bothy ballad with the same title that's otherwise completely different. - With thanks to Pat Van Horn.

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