Poems And Songs Of Robert Burns Part 23

Chorus

For a' that, an' a' that, An' twice as muckle's a' that; My dearest bluid, to do them guid, They're welcome till't for a' that.

Recitativo

So sang the bard--and Nansie's wa's Shook with a thunder of applause, Re-echo'd from each mouth!

They toom'd their pocks, they p.a.w.n'd their duds, They scarcely left to co'er their fuds, To quench their lowin drouth: Then owre again, the jovial thrang The poet did request To lowse his pack an' wale a sang, A ballad o' the best; He rising, rejoicing, Between his twa Deborahs, Looks round him, an' found them Impatient for the chorus.

Air

Tune--"Jolly Mortals, fill your Gla.s.ses."

See the smoking bowl before us, Mark our jovial ragged ring!

Round and round take up the chorus, And in raptures let us sing--

Chorus

A fig for those by law protected!

Liberty's a glorious feast!

Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.

What is t.i.tle, what is treasure, What is reputation's care?

If we lead a life of pleasure, 'Tis no matter how or where!

A fig for, &c.

With the ready trick and fable, Round we wander all the day; And at night in barn or stable, Hug our doxies on the hay.

A fig for, &c.

Does the train-attended carriage Thro' the country lighter rove?

Does the sober bed of marriage Witness brighter scenes of love?

A fig for, &c.

Life is al a variorum, We regard not how it goes; Let them cant about decorum, Who have character to lose.

A fig for, &c.

Here's to budgets, bags and wallets!

Here's to all the wandering train.

Here's our ragged brats and callets, One and all cry out, Amen!

Chorus

A fig for those by law protected!

Liberty's a glorious feast!

Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.

Song--For A' That^1

Tune--"For a' that."

Tho' women's minds, like winter winds, May shift, and turn, an' a' that, The n.o.blest breast adores them maist-- A consequence I draw that.

Chorus

For a' that, an' a' that, And twice as meikle's a' that; The bonie la.s.s that I loe best She'll be my ain for a' that.

Great love I bear to a' the fair, Their humble slave, an' a' that; But lordly will, I hold it still A mortal sin to thraw that.

For a' that, &c.

But there is ane aboon the lave, Has wit, and sense, an' a' that; A bonie la.s.s, I like her best, And wha a crime dare ca' that?

For a' that, &c.

In rapture sweet this hour we meet, Wi' mutual love an' a' that,

[Footnote 1: A later version of "I am a bard of no regard" in "The Jolly Beggars."]

But for how lang the flie may stang, Let inclination law that.

For a' that, &c.

Their tricks an' craft hae put me daft.

They've taen me in, an' a' that; But clear your decks, and here's--"The s.e.x!"

I like the jads for a' that.

For a' that, &c.

Song--Merry Hae I Been Teethin A Heckle