The Bonny Labouring Boy
Forbidden Love: Defying Parents for True Affection
Lyrics
As I roved out one May morning, all in the blooming Spring
Setting the scene of the narrator roving out in May morning during Spring.
I overheard a maid complain, and grievous she did sing
The narrator overhears a maid expressing grievance about her situation.
How cruel were her parents, they did her so annoy
The maid laments the cruelty of her parents and how they annoy her.
And would not let her marry with her bonny labouring boy
Her parents prohibit her from marrying her beloved, the bonny labouring boy.
Now Johnny is her true love’s name, as you may plainly see
The true love's name is revealed as Johnny, employed as a labouring boy by her parents.
Her parents, they employed him their labouring boy to be
Johnny works as a labouring boy on her father's land at the request of her parents.
To plough the soil and reap and mow, all on her father’s land
Describes Johnny's tasks: ploughing, reaping, and mowing on the father's land.
And she did fall in love with him, as you may understand
She falls in love with Johnny during his employment on the land.
They courted for some twelvemonth long, but little did she know
They court for a year, but she is unaware of her parents' sinister plan.
That both her cruel parents did plan their overthrow
Revelation that her parents are plotting against the relationship.
They watched them close one evening, down by some shady grove
Parents spy on the couple in a shady grove, hearing their love vows.
And heard them pledge each other in the constant bands of love
The lovers pledge themselves in constant bands of love.
Her father he strode up to her and took her by the hand
Her father confronts her and declares his intention to send Johnny abroad.
He vowed he’d send young Johnny unto some foreign land
Despite the threat, the maid boldly declares her loyalty to her bonny labouring boy.
But boldly made she answer then, which did them so annoy
She asserts her choice to remain single, defying her parents' wishes.
‘It’s single I shall always be, for my bonny labouring boy’
Expresses her commitment to stay with her bonny labouring boy.
‘His hair is like the raven’s wing, his eyes are black as jet
Describes Johnny's physical features, emphasizing his attractiveness.
His face it is the finest that ever I’ve seen yet
Details Johnny's black hair, jet-black eyes, and fine face.
He’s manly, neat and handsome, his cheeks are like the snow
Highlights Johnny's manliness, neatness, and handsomeness, comparing his cheeks to snow.
And in spite of both my parients, with Johnny I will go’
Despite parental opposition, she affirms her decision to be with Johnny.
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