Broome of Cowdenknowes

Traditional - Playford 

How blithe each morn was I tae see 
My lass came o'er the hill 
She skipped the burn and ran tae me 
I met her with rye good will. 

O the broom, the bonnie, bonnie broom 
The broom o the cowdenknowes 
Fain would I be in the north country 
Herding her father's ewes 

We neither herded ewes nor lamb 
While the flock near us lay 
She gathered in the sheep at night 
And cheered me all the day 

Hard fate that I should banished be 
Gone way o'er hill and moor 
Because I loved the fairest lass 
That ever yet was born 

Adieu, ye cowdenknowes, adieu 
Farewell all pleasures there 
To wander by her side again 
Is all I crave or care

Notes by Mistress Fabienne l'Accusee:

   This is a lovely song as well as an English country dance. The tune from Playford's book is the same one that is sung today. I have always known it as a song (the dance is not terribly exciting). The broom is a shrub that produces golden spiky flowers that once grew along the scottish border, as Cowdenknowes is in Berwickshire (Northern England). The tower house in Cowdenknowes was built in the 15^th century and is still occupied.

Basic (Original Playford) Music:

Traditional Music: