Return to Traditional Airs Page

Bonny At Morn

A traditional song from Northumberland and taken from the Northumbrian Minstrelsy of 1882. The editors had this to say about "Bonny at Morn"; The song "Bonny at Morn" gives a pretty picture of family life. The baby awakes a little too early, but the big lad and the big lass are loathe to rise; hence the interjaculatory phrase "Thou's ower lang in thy bed" in the midst of the song. Some things don't change much, if at all!
The sheep's in the meadow, The kye's in the corn, [Thou's ower lang in thy bed], Bonny at morn. The sheep's in the meadow, The kye's in the corn, [Thou's ower lang in thy bed], Bonny at morn.
Chorus Canny at night, Bonny at morn, [Thou's ower lang in thy bed], Bonny at morn.
The bird's in the nest, The trout's in the burn, Thou hinders thy mother, In many a turn. (Repeat) Canny at night etc.
We're all laid idle, Wi' keeping the bairn, The lad winnot work, The lass winnot lairn, (Repeat) Canny at night etc.

.