Twas in the month of sweet july
before the sun had pierced the sky
was in between the rigs o rye
I heard twa lovers talking
Noo the lad said “lassie I must away
for I have no longer time to stay
but I’ve a word or two to say
if you have the time tae tarry”
Chorus
O the rigs o rye sway to and fro
as the wind blows seed and nature sows
a season passes the rye will grow
O the rigs o rye grow freely
Noo, your father of ye, he takes great care
and your mother combs down your yellow hair
but your sister says that you’ll get no share
if you go with me, a stranger
Let my father fret let my mother frown
my sisters words I do disown
though they were dead and below the ground
I’d go with you, a stranger
Chorus
O the rigs o rye sway to and fro
as the wind blows seed and nature sows
a season passes the rye will grow
O the rigs o rye grow freely
but lassie, lassie, your fortunes small
and maybe ye will hae nane at all
your no match for me at all
Go lay your love on another
This lassie’s courage began to fail
Her rosy cheeks they grew wan and pale
and tears came trickling doon like hail
or a heavy shower in the summer
Chorus
O the rigs o rye sway to and fro
as the wind blows seed and nature sows
a season passes the rye will grow
O the rigs o rye grow freely
but he’s tain his handkerchief linen fine
He’s wiped her cheeks and he’s kissed her eyen
sayin’ lassie lassie you shall be mine
for I only thought to try you
noo this laddie being of courage bold
for a gallant chief just 19 years old
and he’s raised the hills and the valleys o’er
and he’s tain his lassie wi him
Chorus
O the rigs o rye sway to and fro
as the wind blows seed and nature sows
a season passes the rye will grow
O the rigs o rye grow freely