9 ‘O ill betide ye, silly auld wife, And an ill death may ye die! She has the muckle buik in her arms, And she’s prayin for you and me.’ 10 The auld wife being not asleep, Then something mair was said; ‘I’ll lay my life,’ quo the silly auld wife, ‘There’s a man i our dochter’s bed.’ 11 The auld wife she got owre the bed, To see if the thing was true; But what the wrack took the auld wife’s fit? For into the creel she flew. 12 The man that was at the chimley-top, Finding the creel was fu, He wrappit the rape round his left shouther, And fast to him he drew. 13 ‘O help! O help! O hinny, now, help! O help, O hinny, now! For him that ye aye wished me to He’s carryin me off just now.’ 14 ‘O if the foul thief’s gotten ye, I wish he may keep his haud; For a’ the lee lang winter nicht Ye’ll never lie in your bed.’ 15 He’s towed her up, he’s towed her down, He’s towed her through an through; ‘O Gude assist!’ quo the silly auld wife, For I’m just departin now.’ 16 He’s towed her up, he’s towed her down, He’s gien her a richt down-fa, Till every rib i the auld wife’s side Playd nick-nack on the wa. 17 O the blue, the bonnie, bonnie blue, And I wish the blue may do weel! And every auld wife that’s sae jealous o her dochter, May she get a good keach i the creel! B Communicated February, 1873, by Mr David Louden, of Morham, Haddington, N. B., as derived from Andrew Hastie, Rentonhall. 1 As bonnie may went up the street, Some sweetmeats for to buy, There was a young clerk followed after her, And followed her by and by, by, And followed her by and by. 2 ‘It’s bonnie may, where do you stay? Or where is’t that you be? Oh if the night be neer so dark, Awat I’ll come and visit thee.’ 3 ‘My father locks the door at een, My mother keeps the key; Gin ye were neer sic a rovin blade, Ye canna win in to me.’ 4 The young clerk has a young brither, And a wily wag was he; He’s made to him a long ladder, Wi thirty steps and three. 5 And he’s put it to the chimney-top, And the creel he’s put on a pin, And he’s put it to the chimney-top, And he’s let the young clerk in. 6 The auld wife she was standing by, She heard a word was said; ‘I could lay my life,’ said the silly auld wife, There’s a man in oor dochter’s bed.’ 7 The auld man he cam doun the stairs To see if it were true; The young clerk was lying in bonnie may’s arms, And she’s covered him oer wi blue. 8 ‘Where are you going, dear father?’ she says, ‘Where are you going so late? You stopped me of my evening prayers, And oh, but they were sweet!’