Yon, Yon, Yon Lassie
Yon, Yon, Yon Lassie - meaning Summary
Playful Erotic Courtship
This short Scots song is a bawdy, teasing first-person address in which the speaker celebrates sexual desire for attractive young women. Using repeated refrains, the speaker insists he would court or kiss any bonnie lass and play at sexual games, dismissing domesticity and politely downplaying moral scruples. The tone mixes playful bragging with coarse humor, including frank physical references, and contrasts fleeting flirtation with a named wife who is casually set aside. The poem presents desire as light, communal, and mischievous rather than romantic or solemn.
Read Complete AnalysesI never saw a silken gown, But I wad kiss the sleeve o't; I never saw a maidenhead That I wad spier the leave o't. O, yon, yon, yon, lassie, Yon, yon, yon; I never met a bonie lass But what wad play at yon. Tell nae me, o' Meg my wife, That crowdie has na savour: But gie to me a bonie lass An' let me steal the favour. O, yon, yon, yon, lassie, Yon, yon, yon; I never met a bonie lass But what wad play at yon. Gie me her I kis't yestreen, I vow but she was handsome, For ilka birss upon her cunt, Was worth a royal ransom. An' yon, yon, yon, lassie, Yon, yon, yon, I never saw a bonie lass But what wad do yon.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.