As I was a-walking one fine summer's morning
All along by the Broomielaw
O it's there I met with a fair young maiden
She'd cherry cheeks and she'd skin like snow.
Says I, “Fair la**ie, why do you wander
along by the Broomielaw?”
“O indeed, kind sir, I will plainly tell you,
I'm a bleacher la**ie on Kelvinhaugh.”
“O la**ie, la**ie if you'll go with me
I'll dress you up in fine satins braw.”
“O indeed, kind sir, it's the truth I'll tell you
I've a lad of my own but he's far awa.”
“O la**ie, la**ie, you are hard-hearted
And I wish your fair face I never saw;
For my heart's aye bleeding, both night and morning
For the bleacher la**ie on Kelvinhaugh.
“It's seven lang years that I've loved my sailor;
And seven long years since he went awa
Aye, and another seven I'll wait upon him
And I'll bleach my claes here on Kelvinhaugh.”
“O la**ie, la**ie, you have proved faithful
And you thought on me while I was awa;
Two hearts will surely be rewarded,
We'll part no more here on Kelvinhaugh.”
And now this couple, they have gotten married
And they keep an ale-house atween them twa
And the sailor laddies, they all go drinking
At the bleacher la**ie's on Kelvinhaugh.