The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 91

III.

When I mount the creepie chair, Wha will sit beside me there?

Gie me Rob, I'll seek nae mair, The rantin' dog, the daddie o't.

IV.

Wha will crack to me my lane?

Wha will make me fidgin' fain?

Wha will kiss me o'er again?-- The rantin' dog, the daddie o't.

XIII.

MY HEART WAS ANCE.

Tune--"_To the weavers gin ye go._"

["The chorus of this song," says Burns, in his note to the Museum, "is old, the rest is mine." The "bonnie, westlin weaver lad" is said to have been one of the rivals of the poet in the affection of a west landlady.]

I.

My heart was ance as blythe and free As simmer days were lang, But a bonnie, westlin weaver lad Has gart me change my sang.

To the weavers gin ye go, fair maids, To the weavers gin ye go; I rede you right gang ne'er at night, To the weavers gin ye go.

II.

My mither sent me to the town, To warp a plaiden wab; But the weary, weary warpin o't Has gart me sigh and sab.

III.

A bonnie westlin weaver lad, Sat working at his loom; He took my heart as wi' a net, In every knot and thrum.

IV.

I sat beside my warpin-wheel, And ay I ca'd it roun'; But every shot and every knock, My heart it gae a stoun.

V.

The moon was sinking in the west Wi' visage pale and wan, As my bonnie westlin weaver lad Convoy'd me thro' the glen.

VI.

But what was said, or what was done, Shame fa' me gin I tell; But, oh! I fear the kintra soon Will ken as weel's mysel.

To the weavers gin ye go, fair maids, To the weavers gin ye go; I rede you right gang ne'er at night, To the weavers gin ye go.

XIV.

NANNIE.

Tune--"_My Nannie, O._"

[Agnes Fleming, servant at Calcothill, inspired this fine song: she died at an advanced age, and was more remarkable for the beauty of her form than face. When questioned about the love of Burns, she smiled and said, "Aye, atweel he made a great wark about me."]

I.

Behind yon hills, where Lugar flows, 'Mang moors an' mosses many, O, The wintry sun the day has closed, And I'll awa to Nannie, O.

II.

The westlin wind blaws loud an' shrill; The night's baith mirk and rainy, O; But I'll get my plaid, an' out I'll steal, An' owre the hills to Nannie, O.

III.

My Nannie's charming, sweet, an' young; Nae artfu' wiles to win ye, O: May ill befa' the flattering tongue That wad beguile my Nannie, O.

IV.

Her face is fair, her heart is true, As spotless as she's bonnie, O: The op'ning gowan, wat wi' dew, Nae purer is than Nannie, O.

V.

A country lad is my degree, An' few there be that ken me, O; But what care I how few they be?

I'm welcome ay to Nannie, O.

VI.

My riches a's my penny-fee, An' I maun guide it cannie, O; But warl's gear ne'er troubles me, My thoughts are a' my Nannie, O.

VII.

Our auld guidman delights to view His sheep an' kye thrive bonnie, O; But I'm as blythe that hauds his pleugh, An' has nae care but Nannie, O.

VIII.

Come weel, come woe, I care na by, I'll tak what Heav'n will sen' me, O: Nae ither care in life have I, But live, an' love my Nannie, O.