A gran' watch was gotten belyve,
And May, wi' sma' prigging consentit
To be ane o' a party o' five
To gang to the manse and present it.
O, we were sly, sly! &c.
W'e a' gied a word o' advice
To May in a deep consultation,
To ha'e something to say unco nice,
And to speak for the hale deputation.
O, we were sly, sly! &c.
Taking present and speech baith in hand,
May delivered a bonnie palaver,
To let Mr. M'Gock understand
How zealous she was in his favour.
O, we were sly, sly! &c.
She said that the gift was to prove,
That his female friends valued him highly,
But it couldna express a' their love;
And she glintit her e'e at him slyly.
O, we were sly, sly! &c.
He put the gold watch in his fab,
And proudly he said he would wear it;
And, after some flattering gab,
Tauld May he was gaun to be marryit.
O, we were sly, sly! O, we were sly and sleekit!
But Mr. M'Gock was nae gowk, wi' our dainty bit plan to be cleekit.
May came hame wi' her heart to her mouth,
And became, frae that hour, a dissenter,
And now she's renewing her youth
Wi' some hopes o' the burgher precentor.
O, but she's sly, sly! O, but she's sly and sleekit!
And cleverly opens ae door as soon as another is steekit.
A wet sheet.
[Allan Cunningham.]
A wet sheet and a flowing sea,
A wind that follows fast,
And fills the white and rustling sail,
And bends the gallant mast.
And bends the gallant mast, my boys,
While like the eagle free,
Away the good ship flies, and leaves
Old England on the lee.
O for a soft and gentle wind!
I heard a fair one cry;
But give to me the swelling breeze,
And white waves heaving high
The white waves heaving high, my lads,
The good ship tight and free—
The world of waters is our home,
And merry men are we.
There's tempest in yon horned moon,
And lightning in yon cloud;
And hark the music, mariners!
The wind is wakening loud.
The wind is wakening loud, my boys,
The lightning flashes free—
The hollow oak our palace is,
Our heritage the sea.
My bonnie Wife.
[W. Millar.— Music by P. M'Leod.]
Oh, weel I mind the happy days,
The days o' youthfu' love and pride,
When 'mang the glens and heath'ry braes
I woo'd and won my bonnie bride;
And weel I mind the blessed time,
When Hymen wove the nuptial spell,
And waken'd joys whilk few but they
Far, far an' owre in heav'n can tell.
My bonnie wife—the charm o' life,
She's than than India's gowd to me,
Oh! blessings on my bonnie wife,
I'll like her till the day I dee.
She's aye sae blythe when I come hame,
Sae glad o' e'e, sae sweet o' mou',
The saft voice o' my couthie dame
Is kinder than the turtle's coo.
And then she's aye sae gude and meek
That angel's e'en her heart might see,
I think its maistly for her sake
Contentment likes to dwell wi' me.
When gay young frien's come down the gate
Or aiblins been auid birkie's ca',
Our wee bit cot she mak's sae neat,
It's no that unco-like ava:
