The Scottish songs - National Library of Scotland

419
It was ne'er my father's will,
Nor yet my mother's desire,
That e'er I should fyle my fingers
Wi' muckin' o' Geordie's byre.
The mouse is a merry beast.
The moudiewort wants the een ;
But the warld shall ne'er get wit,*
Sae merry as we hae been.
It was ne'er, &c.f
PATIE'S COURTSHIP.
TuNE^
—
Patie's Wedding.
—
As Patie came in frae the dale,
Drivin' his wedders before him,
He met bonnie Meg ganging hame
Her beauty was like for to smoore him.
Maggie, lass, dinna ye ken
That you and I 's gaun to be married ?
1 rather had broken my leg.
Before sic a bargain miscarried.
O Patie, lad, wha tell'd ye that ?
I trow o' news they've been scanty :
I'm nae to be married the year,
Though I should be courted by twenty I
Now, Maggie, what gars ye to taunt ?
Is 't 'cause that I haena a mailen ?
i. e. Never be informed. f From Herd's Collection, 1776.