MALLY LEE

from Chambers' Traditions of Edinburgh, 1829 ed. :

As Mally Lee cam' doun the street, her capuchin did flee;
She coost a look behind her, to see her negligee

And we're a' gaun east and wast, we're a' gaun agee,
We're a' gaun east and wast, courtin' Mally Lee.

She had twa lappets at her head, that flaunted gallantlie,
And ribbon-knots at back and breast of bonnie Mally Lee.

A' doun alang the Canongate, were beaux o' ilk degree;
And mony ane turned round to look at bonnie Mally Lee.

And ilka bab her pompoon gied, ilk lad thought that's to me;
But feint a ane was in the thought of bonnie Mally Lee.

Frae Seton's Land a Countess fair look'd owre a window hie,
And pined to see the genty shape of bonnie Mally Lee.

And when she reached the Palace porch, there lounged Yerls three;
And ilk ane thought his Kate or Meg a drab to Mally Lee.

The dance gaed through the Palace ha', a comely sight to see;
But nane was there sae bright or braw as bonnie Mally Lee.

Though some had jewels in their hair, like stars 'mang clouds did shine,
Yet Mally did surpass them a', wi' but her glancin' eyne.

A Prince cam' out frae 'mang them a', wi' garter at his knee,
And danced a stately rigadoon, wi' bonnie Mally Lee.

 

The lady's name was actually 'Sleigh'. She married Brodie of Brodie in 1725. The song was written down in the 1760s, and the concluding stanza suggests the text may have been adapted in the wake of the Pretender's holding court at Holyrood.

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