Logie o' Buchan (1790)/Song 2
The Roving maids of Edinburgh.
THE roving maids of Edinburgh,
they are so brisk and airy,
They make young men to laugh at them
their heads so high they carry,
Fal de ral lal de ral.
Now behold these pretty maids,
as they walk on the causey.
With ruffls cuff and capuchine.
and vow but they be fancy.
With fine net hoods upon their heads,
each dame a buckling comb O;
Which amunted is with silver bright,
and set with bristol stone O.
Their lockets fine that bright do shine,
a glancing broach below it;
Their bravery full well you see,
how proud they are to show it.
with new fashon’d caps, of different sets,
that are so monstrous high O;
Such flory gigs upon their heads,
are frightful to the eye O.
The other night I got such a fright,
I bless'd me from all evil?
When a lady came in shining robes,
I thought it was the devil.
With a cap more high then granadiers,
and hair drest in fine order,
She appeared like sweet Margarets ghost
Come from the stygian border.
With silkin hose and fine pink shoes,
they are all teim'd and ready,
It is not easy for to know,
a scodgie by a lady.
There's lasses bright, turns out at night
their sign is a white apron?
All in the dark to seek a spark,
and wha but our Miss Katherine.
Some lasses then I do offend,
in telling of their knavery,
For that's the way I'm bold to say,
that you've won all your bravery.
The roving maids of Edinburgh,
when they go to the dancing,
The young men all admires the sport,
they are so neat and handsome.
It is well kent, their face they paint,
they are so vain and idle,
To busk and dress more time they pass
then they do on their bible.
With muffs fans, and cardinals,
made of the finest scarlet?
They worn are I do declare,
by many a common harlot.
Their quality, come show to me,
you'll know it by their cleeding?
Dear neighbours then I'll tell you plain
you'll find it by their breeding.
They curse and swear and dominier,
and scold like any randy;
Their morning drink I railly think,
is whisky, gin or brandy.
And if they chance to prove with child
or lose their reputatiou,
then sets up a baudy house,
and that's their occupation,
Such hands and bullies then turn thives
observe the dismal story,
By hangie's hands their lives they end,
and that's call'd Tyburn's glory.