The Sentimental Songster/The Boatie Rows

THE BOATIE ROWS.

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

When Jamie vow’d he wad be mine;
⁠And wan frae me my heart,
O muckle 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, and Janetie,
⁠Are up an gotten lair;
They’ll help to gar the boatie row,
⁠And lighten a’ our care.
The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
⁠The boatie rows fu' weel,
And lightsome be her heart that bears,
⁠The murlain and the creel.

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