James Tytler (1745–1804)

I HA’E laid a herring in saut,

Lass, gin ye lo’e me, tell me now!

I ha’e brewed a forpit o’ maut,

And I canna come ilka day to woo.

I ha’e a calf will soon be a cow;

Lass, gin ye lo’e me, tell me now!

I ha’e a pig will soon be a sow,

And I canna come ilka day to woo.

I’ve a house on yonder muir,

Lass, gin ye lo’e me, tell me now!

Three sparrows may dance upon the floor,

And I canna come ilka day to woo.

I ha’e a but and I ha’e a ben;

Lass, gin ye lo’e me, tell me now!

I ha’e three chickens and a fat hen,

And I canna come ilka day to woo.

I’ve a hen wi’ a happity leg,

Lass, gin ye lo’e me, tell me now!

Which ilka day lays me an egg,

And I canna come ilka day to woo.

I ha’e a kebbuck upon my shelf,

Lass gin ye lo’e me tak’ me now!

I downa eat it all myself;

And I winna come ony mair to woo.