Bonny Lizie Bailie/The Old Man's Lament for the Loss of his Time and Money

THE OLD MAN'S LAMENT

for the

LOSS of his TIME and MONEY.

To its own Proper Tune.

ALAS! for I have spent my time,
and youth with empty pleasure,
My money likewise I have spent,
I’ve lost my time and treasure.

When I to market or fair went,
I still dress’d in the fashion,
Though seldom I had business there,
but get a day’s diversion.

And when I was in company,
either public or private,
All that knew me, paid me respect,
it’s true you may believe it.

But now there’s few doth me regard,
at which I’m greatly moved;
My poverty makes me diffus’d,
though once I was beloved.

My money I did largely spend,
with young people of fashion,
With drink and gaming spent my time,
which now proves my vexation.

And with young women I too oft,
needlessly spent my money,
Until my cash began to fail,
they dearly lov’d my comp’ny.

When I was young I was belov’d,
by ev’ry nymph of pleasure,
But now both old and poor I’m grown,
they slight me out of measure.

But if my time I could recal,
and get again my money,
There’s not one maid among them all,
that I would call my honey.

But alas my money’s all spent,
and I with rags am clothed,
My former life makes me lament,
by some people I’m lothed.

To work I cannot now apply,
though for’t I could get payment,
I must depend on charity,
for both my food and raiment.

O young men all, take my advice,
beware of drink and women ;
Take care how time and money you spend,
each minute and each farthing.

If poverty gets hold of you,
few will call you their darling,
So here my verses I will end,
in hopes you will take warning.