Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Scottish songs > Volume 2

338
A bien house to bide in, a chaise for to ride in,
And flunkies to 'tend ye as aft as ye ca'.
My father aye tauld me, my mother and a',
Ye'd mak a gude husband, and keep me aye braw ;
It's true, I lo'e Johnnie ; he's young and he's bonnie ;
But, wae's me ! I ken he has naething ava I
I hae little tocher ; ye've made a gude offer ;
I'm now mair than twenty ; my time is but sma' !
Sae gie me your plaidie ; I'll creep in beside ye ;
I thocht ye'd been aulder than three score and twa I
She crap in ayont him, beside the stane wa',
Whare Johnnie was listnin', and heard her tell a' :
The day was appointed ! — his proud heart it dunted^
And strack 'gainst his side, as if burstin' in twa.
He wander'd hame wearie, the nicht it was drearie,
And, thowless, he tint his gate 'mang the deep snaw :
The howlet was screamin', while Johnnie cried. Women
Wad marry auld Nick, if he'd keep them aye braw.
O, the dell's in the lasses ! they gang now sae braw,
They'll lie down wi' auld men o' four score and twa ;
The haill o' their marriage is gowd and a carriage ;
Plain love is the cauldest blast now that can blaw.
Auld dotards, be wary ! tak tent when ye marry ;
Young wives, wi' their coaches, they'll whip and they'll
ca'.
Till they meet wi' some Johnnie that's youthfu' and
bonnie.
And they'll gie ye horns on ilk haiFet to claw.