IF Ellerton Willy be slighted by Lilly!
Yet others as bonny will hark to his lay;
Then why like a silly bit daffodowndilly,
Should I droop my head, droop, and cry, well-a-way?
Chorus:—Then why should pine Willy? if slighted by Lilly,
Yet others as bonny will hark to his lay, etc.
Has Effie, a violet sweet, and a sweeter
In Wanie's fair valley ne'er lifted its head,
Not pined hour by hour since I promised to meet her,
And met with this music-tongued Lilly instead?
Chorus.—Then why should pine Willy? etc.
Has Tibbie, the pride of the Moor, and whose glances
Are spells that enrapture the young and the old,
—The Queen of our dancers, so finely she dances—
Not sighed for the love at which Lilly is cold?
Chorus:—Then why should pine Willy? etc.
Has Meg, at whose bearing the Hirsts are enchanted,
And whom as a charmer the charmer respects,
Not tipt me the wink, and thrice hinted if wanted,
She'd skip at the proffer this Lilly rejects?
Chorus:—Then why should pine Willy? etc.
Would Clara herself, at whose dimples and madly
Young Robin of Uffam would dance in delight,
Not slip a red-rose in her hair and hie gladly
To wile, could she wile, me from Lilly to night?
Chorus:—Then why should pine Willy? if slighted by Lilly,
Yet others as bonny will hark to his lay,
Then why like a silly bit daffodowndilly,
Should I droop my head, droop, and cry, well-a-way?
Joseph Skipsey
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lilly-and-willy/
