Yorkshire Dialect Poems (1673-1915) and traditional poems

The Bridal Garter(1)

     A Catch

     Traditional

        Here's health to t' lass whea donn'd this band
           To grace her leg,
        An' ivvery garter'd braade i' t' land:
     Sea sip it, an' tip it, bud tip it doon your wizan.(2)

        Aroond her leg it has been bun',
           I wish I'd bun' it.
        A trimmer limb could nut be fun':
     Sea sip it, an' tip it, bud tip it doon your wizan.

        May ivvery yan at lifts his glass
           To this faane band
        Uphod(3) he gans wi' t' best-like lass:
     Sae sip it, an' tip it, bud tip it doon your wizan.

        Frae wrist to wrist this band we pass,
           As han' clasps han';
        I' turn we through it draw each glass:
     Sea sip it, an' tip it, bud tip it doon your wizan.

        An' here's tiv her at fast(4) did weer
           A braadal band
        Bun' roond her leg; gie her a cheer:
     Sea sip it, an' tip it, bud tip it doon your wizan.

        An' here's to Venus; let us beg
           A boon at she
        Will gie each braade a pattern leg:
     Sea sip it, an' tip it, bud tip it do on your wizan.

1 From Mr. Richard Blakeborough's "Old Songs of the Dales,"
     appended to his T' Hunt o' Yatton Brigg, p. 57, 2nd edition..
     2 Throat. 3 Uphold, maintain. 4 First.