The Book of Scottish Song/Ane-and-twenty, Tam
Ane-and-twenty, Tam.
[It Is said that Burns wrote this charming little song on a real inoident. A young girl, pcssessed of some property which would be at her own disposal when she attained majority, was urged by her relations to accept an old and wealthy suitor. This she refused, as her affections were already placed on one whose youth, if not worldly circumstances, was more in accordance with her own—and the song is supposed to express her own feelings on the subject to her favoured lover, and particularly the ardent desire she entertained to reach that age when she would be mistress of herself, and able to prove the sincerity of her attachment. The song is sung to a lively old tune called "The Moudiewort."]
And oh, for ane-and-twenty, Tam!
And hey, for ane-and-twenty, Tam!
I'll learn my kin a rattlin' sang,
Gin I saw ane-and-twenty, Tam.
They snool me sair, and haud me down,
And gar me look like bluntie, Tam;
But three short years will soon wheel roun',
And then comes ane-and-twenty, Tam.
A gleib o' lan', a claut o' gear,
Were left me by my auntie, Tam;
At kith and kin I needna speir,
Gin I saw ane-and-twenty, Tam.
They'll ha'e me wed a wealthy coof,
Though I mysel' ha'e plenty, Tam;
But hear'st thou, laddie?—there's my lufe,—
I'm thine at ane-and-twenty, Tam!