'Twas within a Mile of Edinburgh

From Susan Hopkins' music collection:  "'Twas within a Mile of Edinburgh, A Favourite Scotch Song".  This dates toward the close of the 17th century.  The 1897 book, Celebrated Songs of Scotland:  From King James V. to Henry Scott Ridell, declared this tune, written by Thomas D'Urfey, to be a "miserable production".  Some may disagree!

Instrumental, by the British Army:

On the piano by Shuann Chai in 2009:

'Twas within a Mile of Edinburgh

'Twas within a mile of Edinburgh town,

In the rosy time of the year,

Sweet flowers bloom'd and the grass was down,

And each shepherd woo'd his dear,

Bonny Jocky, blythe and gay,

Kiss'd sweet young Jenny making hay;

The lassie blush'd, and frowning cried,

No, No, it will not do;

I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot

Monnot buckle do.

Jocky was a wag that never would wed,
Tho' long he had followed the lass;

Contented she earn'd and eat her brown bread,
And merrily turn'd up the grass.
Bonny Jocky, blyth and free,
Won her heart right merrily,
Yet still she blush'd and frowning cry'd,
No, No, it will not do;

I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot

Monnot buckle do.

But when he vow'd he would make her his bride,
Tho' his flocks and herds were not few,
She gave him her hand and a kiss beside,
And vow'd she'd forever be true.
Bonny Jocky blith and free,
Won her heart right merrily,
At church she no more frowning cry'd
No, no, it will not do,

I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot

Monnot buckle do.