Wi' kauk and keel, Ill win zour bread, And spindles and whorles for them wha need, Whilk is a gentil trade indeed The gaberlunzie to carrie--o. Ill bow my leg and crook my knee, And draw a black clout owre my ee, A criple or blind they will cau me: While we sail sing and be merrie--o. THE WIFE OF USHER'S WELL There lived a wife at Usher's Well, And a wealthy wife was she; She had three stout and stalwart sons, And sent them oer the sea. They hadna been a week from her, A week but barely ane, Whan word came to the carline wife That her three sons were gane. They hadna been a week from her, A week but barely three, Whan word came to the carlin wife That her sons she'd never see. "I wish the wind may never cease, Nor fashes in the flood, Till my three sons come hame to me, In earthly flesh and blood." It fell about the Martinmass, When nights are lang and mirk, The carlin wife's three sons came hame, And their hats were o the birk. It neither grew in syke nor ditch, Nor yet in ony sheugh; But at the gates o Paradise, That birk grew fair eneugh. * * * * * "Blow up the fire, my maidens, Bring water from the well; For a' my house shall feast this night, Since my three sons are well." And she has made to them a bed, She's made it large and wide, And she's taen her mantle her about, Sat down at the bed-side. * * * * * Up then crew the red, red cock, And up and crew the gray; The eldest to the youngest said, 'Tis time we were away. The cock he hadna crawd but once, And clappd his wings at a', When the youngest to the eldest said, Brother, we must awa. "The cock doth craw, the day doth daw, The channerin worm doth chide; Gin we be mist out o our place, A sair pain we maun bide. "Fare ye weel, my mother dear! Fareweel to barn and byre! And fare ye weel, the bonny lass That kindles my mother's fire!" THE LYE Goe, soule, the bodies guest, Upon a thanklesse arrant; Feare not to touche the best, The truth shall be thy warrant: Goe, since I needs must dye, And give the world the lye. Goe tell the court, it glowes And shines like rotten wood; Goe tell the church it showes What's good, and doth no good: If church and court reply, Then give them both the lye. Tell potentates they live Acting by others actions; Not lov'd unlesse they give, Not strong but by their factions; If potentates reply, Give potentates the lye. Tell men of high condition, That rule affairs of state, Their purpose is ambition, Their practise onely hate; And if they once reply, Then give them all the lye.