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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BONNIE MARY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Go fetch to me a pint o' wine
Last Line: It's leaving thee, my bonnie mary!
Variant Title(s): Before Parting;a Farewell;my Bonnie Mary;the Silver Tassie;my Bonie Mary
Subject(s): Farewell; Glasses (tumblers); Parting


GO fetch to me a pint o' wine,
An' fill it in a silver tassie,
That I may drink, before I go,
A service to my bonnie lassie.
The boat rocks at the pier o' Leith,
Fu' loud the wind blaws frae the ferry,
The ship rides by the Berwick-law,
And I maun leave my bonnie Mary.

The trumpets sound, the banners fly,
The glittering spears are ranked ready;
The shouts o' war are heard afar,
The battle closes thick and bloody;
But it's no the roar o' sea or shore
Wad mak me langer wish to tarry;
Nor shout o' war that 's heard afar --
It's leaving thee, my bonnie Mary!





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