Maxwellton braes are bonnie Where early fa's the dew And it's there that Annie Laurie Gied me her promise true Gied me her promise true Which ne'er forgot will be And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me doon and dee
Her brow is like the snowdrift Her neck it's like the swan Her face it is the fairest That e'er the sun shone on That e'er the sun shone on And dark blue is her e'e And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me doon and dee
Maxwellton braes are bonnie Where early fa's the dew And it's there that Annie Laurie Gied me her promise true Gied me her promise true Which ne'er forgot will be And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me doon and dee
Like dew on the gowan lying Is the fa' of her fairy feet And like wind in summer sighing Her voice is low and sweet Her voice is low and sweet She's a' the world to me And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me doon and dee
Maxwellton braes are bonnie Where early fa's the dew And it's there that Annie Laurie Gied me her promise true Gied me her promise true Which ne'er forgot will be And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me doon and dee
Annie (Anna) Laurie was born on 16 December 1682. The original poem was written by William Douglas of Fingland around 1700, then improved and extended by Lady John Scott of Lauderdale around 1834-35. William Douglas was not accepted by Anna's father Sir Robert Laurie, first baronet of Maxwellton, as he was a Hanoverian Royalist whilst William was a fiery Jacobite. Both Fingland and Maxwellton are located in Dumfries in the Scottish Borders.