The Flower of France and England lyrics

As I was on my rambles I came from Dover to Carlisle

The town was full of rebels, and you might have heard them for a mile

I stepped in the Grapes to see what entertainment I could find

Not being brisk I ran the risk and I called for a pint o' wine

And spied a handsome bonnie lass, the flower of France and England-o

I being in a hurry, I for a private room did call

They sent me to the caddy, the lad that rings the morning bell

But in there came this brisk young dame, she said, Kind sir, come follow me

It is not fit for you to sit among such roving company

My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England-o

She took me to a chamber where everything was neat and clean

She said, Young sir, it is not fit you should have something on to dine

The table soon she covered o'er, the dinner soon she did bring in

She looked not like an idle slut nor one that was not taught to spin

My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England-o

Ah but I could not take my dinner for thinking on this pretty maid

And if I could but win her I would not care how long I stayed

I rang the bell, she heard the knell and straight to me she did repair

I said, My dear, the table's drawn, come sit beside me on this chair

My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England-o

She said, Young sir, you are as bad as any in this house this night

For they are drunk and you are mad, or else you would not speak the like

Take up the cup and drink it up and drive such fancies out by sleep

For if you dreamed you had me wed I'm sure you would arise and weep

My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England-o

But I could not fall a-sleeping for thinking of this bonnie lass

That spent her time a-scouring among the pewter and the brass

I rang the bell, she heard the knell and straight to me she did repair

I said, We'll to St. Mary's Church and there we will undo this care

My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England

So we've gone to St. Mary's and there the priest the knot has tied

I hied home my bonnie bride as fast as ever I could hie

To Scotland braw we've ta'en the road till we've come tae Balquhidder's braes

And the servants all did skip and dance to see the lord's and lady's face

My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England-o