| Oh Annan Water’s wondrous deep |
| And my love Ann is wondrous bonnie |
| I’m loathe that she should wet her feet |
| Because I love her best of any. |
| Go saddle for me the bonny grey mare |
| Go saddle her and make her ready. |
| For I must cross the stream tonight, |
| Or never more I’ll see my lady. |
| He’s ridden over field and fen. |
| O’er moor and moss and many’s the mire, |
| But the spurs of steel were sore to bite. |
| Sparks from the mare’s hoofs flew like fire. |
| The mare flew over moor and moss, |
| And when she’s reached the Annan Water |
| She couldn’t have ridden a furlong more |
| Had a thousand whips been laid upon her. |
| Chorus |
| And woe betide you Annan Waters |
| By night you are a gloomy river, |
| And over you I’ll build a bridge |
| That never more true love can sever. |
| Oh Boatman put off your boat, |
| Put off your boat for gold and money. |
| For I must cross the stream tonight, |
| Or never more I’ll see my lady |
| Oh the sides are steep, the waters deep. |
| From bank to brae the water’s pouring |
| And the bonny grey mare she sweats for fear. |
| She stands to hear the water roaring |
| And he has tried to swim the stream, |
| And he swam on both strong and steady, |
| But the river was deep and strength did fail, |
| And never more he’ll see his lady. |
| Oh woe betide the willow wand, |
| And woe betide the bush and briar, |
| For you broke beneath my true love’s hand |
| When strength did fail and limbs did tire |
| (Chorus) |
| That never more true love may sever |