Oh Annan Water's wondrous deep And my love Annie's wondrous bonny I'm loath that she should wet her feet Because I love her best of any. Go saddle to me the bonny grey mare Go saddle her soon and make her ready For I must cross that stream tonight And all to see my bonnie lady. And he has ridden o'er field and fell O'er moor and moss and many a mire His spurs of steel were sore to bide And from the mare's feet flew the fire. The mare flew on o'er moor and mire But when she'd wan the Annan Water She couldn't have ridden a furlong more Had a thousand whips been laid upon her. Oh boatman come put off your boat Put off your boat for golden money For I must cross that stream tonight Or never more I'll see my Annie.
Oh I was sworn late yestreen And not by one oath but by many And for all the gold in fair Scotland I dare not take ye to your Annie. The sides are steep the waters deep From bank to brae the water pouring And your bonny grey mare she sweats for fear She stands to hear the water roaring. And he has tried to swim that stream And he swam on both strong and steady But the river was broad and strength did fail And he never saw his bonny lady. Oh woe betide the willow wand And woe betide the bush of brier For it broke beneath her true love's hand When strength did fail and limbs did tire. And woe betide you Annan Water This night you are a gloomy river And over you I'll build a bridge That never more true love may sever.