Page:Tak your auld cloak about ye (3).pdf/3

 In days when our-king Robert rang;

His trews they cost but half-a-crown;

He said they were a groat owre dear,

An' ca'd the tailor thief and loun. . He was the king that wore a crown,

And thou'rt a man o' low degree;

It's pride puts a' the country down,

Sae tak' your auld cloak about ye.

Ev'ry land has its ain laugh,

Ilk kind of' corn has its ain hool;

I think the world is a' run wrang,

When ilka wife her man wad rule.

Do you not see Bob, Jock, and Hab,

How they are girded gallantly,

While I sit hurklin in the ase?

I'll hae a new cloak about me!

Gudeman! I wat 'tis thirty year,

Sin' we did ane anither ken;

And we hae had, atween us twa,

O'lads and bonny lasses 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,

But she wad guide me if she can;

And to maintain an easy life,

I aft man 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 whare I began,

And tak my auld cloak about me.