> Folk Music > Songs > The Pressers

The Pressers

[Mary Brookbanks]

The Pressers is a song about losing one's lover to press gangs. Ray Fisher sang it in 1982 on her Folk-Legacy album Willie's Lady.

Compare to this The Weary Cutters on the same album.

Lyrics

There is nocht in this wide world but sorrow and care,
I weary on Johnnie, but Johnnie's no there.
Sae waesome and dowie, I feel like tae dee
Since the pressers hae stolen my laddie fae me.

I look aroond the steading, but Johnnie's nae there,
At toil in the hairst field, my hert it feels sair.
When I look tae yon high hills, a tear blinds my e'e
Since the pressers hae stolen my laddie fae me.

For he's far ower yon high hills and syne ower the sea
I ken nowhere my ain dear laddie micht be.
In some foreign battlefield maybe he'll dee
Oh, curse on ye, Boney, took my laddie fae me.

Now the bonnie larks singing mocks me in my care
But I'll go on still hoping till grey grows my hair.
Oh, ye wild winds a blowing far ower the sea
Will ye blow back my bonnie lad Johnnie tae me.