The Lass Of Cessnock Banks
1.
On Cessnock banks a lassie dwells,
Could I describe her shape and mien;
Our lasses a' she far excels -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
2.
She's sweeter than the morning dawn,
When rising Phoebus first is seen,
And dew-drops twinkle o'er the lawn -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
3.
She's stately like yon youthful ash,
That grows the cowslip braes between,
And drinks the stream with vigour fresh -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
4.
She's spotless like the flow'ring thorn
With flow'rs so white and leaves so green,
When purest in the dewy morn -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
5.
Her looks are like the vernal May,
When ev'ning Phoebus shines serene,
While birds rejoice on every spray -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
6.
Her hair is like the curling mist,
That climbs the mountain-sides at e'en,
When flow'r-reviving rains are past -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
7.
Her forehead's like the show'ry bow,
When gleaming sunbeams intervene,
And gild the distant mountain's brow -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
8.
Her cheeks are like yon crimson gem,
The pride of all the flowery scene,
Just opening on its thorny stem -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
9.
Her teeth are like the nightly snow,
When pale the morning rises keen,
While hid the murm'ring streamlets flow -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
10.
Her lips are like yon cherries ripe,
That sunny walls from Boreas screen:
They tempt the taste and charm the sight -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
11.
Her breath is like the fragrant breeze,
That gently stirs the blossom'd bean,
When Phoebus sinks behind the seas -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
12.
Her voice is like the ev'ning thrush,
That sings on Cessnock banks unseen,
While his mate sits nestling in the bush -
An' she has twa sparkling, roguish een!
13.
But it's not her air, her form, her face,
Tho' matching Beauty's fabled Queen:
'Tis the mind that shines in ev'ry grace -
An' chiefly in her roguish een!

The Girl Of Cessnock Banks

On Cessnock banks a girl dwells,
Could I describe her shape and mien;
Our girls all she far excels -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

She is sweeter than the morning dawn,
When rising Phoebus first is seen,
And dew-drops twinkle over the lawn -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

She is stately like yonder youthful ash (tree),
That grows the cowslip hill-sides between,
And drinks the stream with vigour fresh -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

She is spotless like the flowering thorn
With flowers so white and leaves so green,
When purest in the dewy morning -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

Her looks are like the vernal May,
When evening Phoebus shines serene,
While birds rejoice on every spray -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

Her hair is like the curling mist,
That climbs the mountain-sides at evening,
When flower-reviving rains are past -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

Her forehead is like the showery bow (rainbow),
When gleaming sunbeams intervene,
And gild the distant mountain's brow -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

Her cheeks are like yonder crimson gem,
The pride of all the flowery scene,
Just opening on its thorny stem -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

Her teeth are like the nightly snow,
When pale the morning rises keen,
While hid the murmuring streamlets flow -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

Her lips are like yonder cherries ripe,
That sunny walls from Boreas screen:
They tempt the taste and charm the sight -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

Her breath is like the fragrant breeze,
That gently stirs the blossomed bean,
When Phoebus sinks behind the seas -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

Her voice is like the evening thrush,
That sings on Cessnock banks unseen,
While his mate sits nestling in the bush -
And she has two sparkling, roguish eyes!

But it is not her air, her form, her face,
Though matching Beauty's fabled Queen:
It is the mind that shines in every grace -
And chiefly in her roguish eyes!