Page:The poetical works of Robert Burns.djvu/345

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For fools may freit o' right and wrang,
While knaves laugh them to scorn:
But the sodger's friends hae blawn the best,
Sae he shall bear the horn.

Then whisky Jean spak o'er her drink,
Ye weel ken kimmers a'
The auld guidman o' Lon'on court,
His back's been at the wa'.

And monie a friend that kiss'd his caup,
Is now a frammit wight;
But it's ne'er sae wi' whisky Jean,—
We'll send the border Knight.

Then slow raise Marjorie o' the Lochs,
And wrinkled was her brow;
Her ancient weed was russet gray,
Her auld Scots bluid was true.

There's some great folks set light by me,
I set as light by them;
But I will send to Lon'on town,
Wha I lo'e best at hame.

So how this weighty plea will end,
Nae mortal wight can tell;
God grant the King and ilka man
May look weel to himsel'!

 

MY HARRY WAS A GALLANT GAY.

TUNE—'HIGHLANDER'S LAMENT.'

My Harry was a gallant gay,
Fu' stately strade he on the plain!
But now he's banish'd far away,
I'll never see him back again.

Chorus.
O for him back again,
O for him back again,
I wad gie a' Knockhaspie's land,
For Highland Harry back again.

When a' the lave gae to their bed,
I wander dowie up the glen;
I sit me down and greet my fill,
And ay I wish him back again.
O for him, &c.

O were some villains hangit high,
And ilka body had their ain,
Then I might see the joyfu' sight,
My Highland Harry back again!
O for him, &c.

 

AS DOWN THE BURN THEY TOOK THEIR WAY.

As down the burn they took their way,
And thro' the flowery dale;
His cheek to hers he aft did lay,
And love was ay the tale.

With 'Mary, when we shall return,
Sic pleasure to renew?'
Quoth Mary, 'Love, I like the burn,
And ay shall follow you.'

 

HERE'S HIS HEALTH IN WATER!

TUNE—'THE JOB OF JOURNEY-WORK.'

Altho' my back be at the wa',
And tho' he be the fautor;
Altho' my back be at the wa',
Yet, here's his health in water!
O! wae gae by his wanton sides,
Sae brawlie he could flatter;
Till for his sake I'm slighted sair,
And dree the kintra clatter.
But tho' my back be at the wa',
And tho' he be the fautor;
But tho' my back be at the wa',
Yet, here's his health in water!