'Twad be owre lang a tale to tell
How monie stories past,
An' how they crouded to the yill,21
When they were a' dismist;
How drink gaed round in cogs22 and caups 23
Amang the furms24 an' benches:
An' cheese and bread frae women's laps 205
Was dealt about in lunches
An' dawds25 that day.
In comes a gawsie,26 gash27 guidwife
An' sits down by the fire,
Syne28 draws her kebbuck29 an' her knife;
The lasses they are shyer:
The auld guidmen about the grace
Frae side to side they bother,
Till some ane by his bonnet lays,
And gi'es them't,30 like a tether,
Fu' lang that day.
Waesucks!31 for him that gets nae lass,
Or lasses that hae naething!
Sma' need has he to say a grace,
Or melvie32 his braw claithing!
O wives, be mindfu' ance yoursel
How bonie lads ye wanted,
An' dinna for a kebbuck-heel33
Let lasses be affronted
On sic a day!
Now Clinkumbell, wi' rattlin tow,34
Begins to jow35 an' croon;
Some swagger hame the best they dow,
Some wait the afternoon.
At slaps the billies38 halt a blink,
Till lasses strip their shoon: