The Scottish songs - National Library of Scotland

587
THE COUNTRY LASS.
Tune—Although I le lut a country lass.
Although I be but a country lass,
Yet a lofty mind I bear, O ;
And tbink mysell as rich as those
That rich apparel wear, O.
Although my gown be hame-spun grey,
My skin it is as saft, O,
As them that satin weeds do wear,
' And carry their heads aloft, O.
What though I keep my father's sheep.
The thing that maun be done, O ;
With garlands o' the finest flowers.
To shade me frae the sun, O ?
When they are feeding pleasantly,
Where grass and flowers do spring, O ;
Then, on a flowery bank, at noon,
I set me doun and sing, O.
My Paisley piggy,* corked with sage,
Contains my drink but thin, O
No wines did e'er my brains engage,
To tempt my mind to sin, O.f
My country curds and wooden spoon,
I think them unco fine, O ;
And on a flowery bank, at noon,
I set me doun and dine, O.
Although my parents cannot raise
Great bags of shining gold, O,
* A species of pipkin, manufactured, I suppose, at Paisley.
f It is a very common notion to this day, among the humbler orders of
people in Scotland, that the greater degree of licentiousness which they
think obtains amongst the upper rai^ks, is occasioned by their better food,
and especially by the use of strong drinks.
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