Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Songs of Scotland prior to Burns

THE PLOUGHMAN. 405
The ploughman he 's a bonnie lad,
And a' his wark 's at leisure ;
And, when that he comes hame at e'en,
He kisses me wi' pleasure.
Up wi 't now, 1 my ploughman lad !
Up wi 't now, my ploughman !
Of a' the lads that I do see,
Commend me to the ploughman.
Now the blooming spring comes on,
He takes his yoking early,
And, ' whistling o'er the furrowed land,' 2
He goes to fallow clearly.
When my ploughman comes hame at e'en,
He 's often wet and wearie ;
Cast aft the wet, put on the dry,
And gae to bed, my dearie.
I will wash my ploughman's hose,
And I will wash his owerlay,
And I will make my ploughman's bed,
And cheer him late and early.
Merry but, and merry ben,
Merry is my ploughman ;
Of a' the trades that I do ken,
Commend me to the ploughman.
Plough yon hill, and plough yon dale,
Plough yon faugh and fallow ;
Wha winna drink the ploughman's health,
Is but a dirty fellow !
1 A Scottish phrase of high exultation, which seems to be only used in
songs :
Up wi 't, Ailie, Ailie,,
Up wi 't, Ailie, now !
Old Song.
2 Milton.