Page:Bonny Mally Stewart (2).pdf/8

 Every land has its ain laugh,

Ilk kind of corn has it's ain hole;

I think the warld is a' run wrang,

When ilka wife her man wad rule,

Do you not see Pab. Jack and Hab,

How they are girded gallantly?

While I sit hurklin in the ase—

I'll have a new cloak about me.

Gudeman I wat 'tis thretty years,

Sin' we did ane anither ken;

And we have had, between us twa,

Of lads and bonny lassies ten:

Now they are women grown and men,

I wish and pray weel may they be,

And if you prove a good husband,

E'en tak your auld cloak about ye.

Bell my wife, she lo'es nae strife;

BntBut [sic] she wad guide me if she can;

And to maintain an easy life,

I aft maun yield, tho' I’m gudeman,

Nought's to be won at woman's hand,

Unless ye gie her a' the plea,

Then I'll leave aff where I began,

And tak your auld cloak about ye.