The Black-Bird Songster/The Boatie Rows

THE BOATIE ROWS.

O weel may the boatie row,
⁠And better may it speed;
And liesome may the boatie row,
⁠That wins my bairns' bread;
The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
⁠The boatie rows indeed;
And weel may the boatie row,
⁠That wins the bairns' bread.

When Jamie vow'd he wad be mine,
⁠And wan frae me my heart,
O mucklo lighter grew my creel,
⁠He swore we'd never part:
The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
⁠The boatie rows fu' weel,
And muckle lighter is the load,
⁠When love bears up the creel.

When Sawney, Jock an' Janetie,
⁠Are up and gotten lair;
They'll help to gar the boatie row,
⁠And lighten a' our care.
Tho boatie rows, tho boatie rows,
⁠The boatie rows fu' weel,
And lightsome bo her heart that bears
⁠The murlain and the creel.

And whan wi' age we're worn down,
⁠And hirpling round the door,
They'll help to keep us dry and warm,
⁠As wo did them before;
Then weel may the boatie row,
⁠She wins the bairns' bread
And happy be tho lot of a',
⁠That wish the boatie speed.