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Comin’ Through the Rye

[ Roud 5512 ; G/D 8:1860 ; Ballad Index FSWB140B ; trad.]

Gill Bowman sang Comin’ Thro’ the Rye in 1994 on her Greentrax albums Perfect Lover and Toasting the Lassies.

Gordeanna McCulloch sang Comin Thro’ the Rye in 1997 on Volume 3 of the Linn Records anthology The Complete Songs of Robert Burns.

Ed Miller sang Comin’ Thro’ the Rye on his 2009 CD of songs written or collected by Robert Burns, Lyrics of Gold.

Eddi Reader sang Comin’ Through the Rye in 2009 on the deluxe edition of her CD The Songs of Robert Burns.

Ian Bruce sang Comin’ Thro’ the Rye in 2010 on his Lochshore album Rhythm & Burns.

Robyn Stapleton sang Comin’ Through the Rye on her 2017 CD Songs of Robert Burns. She noted:

I first learned this song when I was 7 years old, and it’s still one of my favourites—I love its lightness and energy. The track also includes the tune, An Cuan, written by Scottish pianist and composer, James Ross.

Lyrics

Gill Bowman sings Comin’ Thro’ the Rye

Chorus (twice after each verse):
Jenny’s a’ weet, poor body
Jenny’s seldom dry:
She draigl’t a’ her petticoaties,
Comin’ thro’ the rye!

Comin thro the rye, poor body,
Comin thro’ the rye,
She draigl’t a’ her petticoaties,
Comin’ thro’ the rye!

Gin a body meet a body
Comin’ thro’ the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need a body cry?

Gin a body meet a body
Comin’ thro’ the glen,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need the world ken?

Robyn Stapleton sings Comin’ Through the Rye

Ilka lassie has her laddie
Nane, they say, hae I
Yet a’ the lads they smile at me
When comin’ through the rye

Gin a body meet a body
Comin’ frae the toon
Gin a body greet a body
Need a body froon

Amang the train there is a swain
I dearly loe masel
But what’s his name or whar’s his hame
I dinnae care to tell

Gin a body meet a body
Comin’ frae the well
Gin a body kiss a body
Need a body tell

Gin a body meet a body
Comin’ through the rye
Gin a body kiss a body
Need a body cry