T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
John Anderson, My Jo
By Robert Burns (17591796)(From The Masque (2nd ed., p. 292); also in Merry Muses of Caledonia) |
JOHN ANDERSON, my jo, John, | |
I wonder what ye mean, | |
To lie sae lang i’ the mornin’, | |
And sit sae late at e’en? | |
Ye’ll bleer a’ your een, John, | 5 |
And why do ye so? | |
Come sooner to your bed at e’en, | |
John Anderson, my jo. | |
John Anderson, my jo, John, | |
When first that ye began, | 10 |
Ye had as good a tail-tree | |
As ony ither man; | |
But now it’s waxen wan, John, | |
And aft requires my helping hand, | |
John Anderson, my jo. | 15 |
When we were young and yauld, John, | |
We’ve lain out-owre the dyke, | |
And O! it was a fine thing | |
To see your hurdies fyke;— | |
To see your hurdies fyke, John, | 20 |
And strike the risin’ blow; | |
’Twas then I lik’d your chanter-pipe, | |
John Anderson, my jo. | |
John Anderson, my jo, John, | |
You’re welcome when you please; | 25 |
It’s either in the warm bed, | |
Or else aboon the claes. | |
Do ye your part aboon, John, | |
And trust to me below; | |
I’ve twa gae-ups for your gae-down, | 30 |
John Anderson, my jo. | |
When ye come on before, John, | |
See that ye do your best; | |
When I begin to haud ye, | |
See that ye grip me fast; | 35 |
See that ye grip me fast, John, | |
Until that I cry “Oh!” | |
Your back shall crack, or I do that, | |
John Anderson, my jo. | |
I’m backet like a salmon, | 40 |
I’m breastit like a swan; | |
My wyme is like a down-cod, | |
My waist ye weel may span; | |
My skin frae tap to tae, John, | |
Is like the new fa’n snow, | 45 |
And it’s a’ for your conveniency, | |
John Anderson, my jo. | |