Oh, Annan Water's wonderous deep
And my love Ann is wondrous bonnie.
I'm loathe that she should wet her feet
Because i lover her best of any.
Go saddle for me the bonny grey mare
Go saddle her and make her ready
For I must cross the stream tonight
Or never more I'll see my lady
He's ridden over field and fen
O'er moor and moss and many's the mire
But the spurs of steel were sore to bite
Sparks from the mare's hoofs flew like fire
The mare flew over moor and moss
And when she reached the Annan Water
She couldn't have ridden a furlong more
Had a thousand whips been laid upon her.
And woe betide you Annan Waters.
By night you are a gloomy river
And over you I'll build a bridge
That never more true love can sever.
"Oh Boatman put off your boat,
Put off your boat for gold and money,
For I must cross the stream tonight
Or never more I'll see my lady."
"Oh the sides are steep, the waters deep
From bank to brae the water's pouring,
And the bonny grey mare she sweats for fear,
She stands to hear the water roaring."
And he has tried to swim the stream
And he swam on both strong and steady,
But the river was deep and strength did fail
And never more he'll see his lady.
Oh woe betide the willow wand
And woe betide the bush and briar,
For you broke beneath my true love's hand
When strength did fail and limbs did tire.
And woe betide you Annan Water
By night you are a gloomy river
And over you I'll build a bridge
That never more true love can sever.
That never more true love can sever.
That never more true love can sever.
That never more true love can sever.