A Portrait of Robert Burns Robert Burns

1794 · Song

Philly and Willy


Tune ·  The Sow’s tail to Geordie

He. O Philly, happy be that day,When roving thro’ the gather’d hay,My youthfu’ heart was stown away,And by thy charms, my Philly.4
She. O Willy, aye I bless the groveWhere first I own’d my maiden love,Whilst thou did pledge the Powers above,To be my ain dear Willy.8

Chorus

Both. For a’ the joys that gowd can gie,I dinna care a single flie;The lad I love’s the lad for me,The lass I love’s the lass for me,And that’s my ain dear Willy.And that’s my ain dear Philly.14
He. As songsters of the early year,Are ilka day mair sweet to hear,So ilka day to me mair dearAnd charming is my Philly.18
She. As on the brier the budding rose,Still richer breathes and fairer blows,So in my tender bosom growsThe love I bear my Willy.22
He. The milder sun and bluer skyThat crown my harvest cares wi’ joy,Were ne’er sae welcome to my eyeAs is a sight o’ Philly.26
She. The little swallow’s wanton wing,Tho’ wafting o’er the flowery Spring,Did ne’er to me sic tidings bring,As meeting o’ my Willy.30

Chorus

Both. For a’ the joys that gowd can gie,I dinna care a single flie;The lad I love’s the lad for me,The lass I love’s the lass for me,And that’s my ain dear Willy.And that’s my ain dear Philly.36
He. The bee that thro’ the sunny hourSips nectar in the op’ning flower,Compar’d wi’ my delight is poor,Upon the lips o’ Philly.40
She. The woodbine in the dewy weet,When ev’ning shades in silence meet,Is nocht sae fragrant or sae sweetAs is a kiss o’ Willy.44
He. Let fortune’s wheel at random rin,And fools may tine and knaves may win;My thoughts are a’ bound up in ane,And that’s my ain dear Philly.48
She. What’s a’ the joys that gowd can gie?I dinna care a single flie;The lad I love’s the lad for me,And that’s my ain dear Willy.52
Year
1794
Form
Song
Location
Dumfries
Tune
The Sow’s tail to Geordie
Source
Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns