Monymusk Lads

As l cam' in b

Y Monymustk

And doon by

Alford's dale,

A sad misfortune happened to me

And l think nae shame to tell. cho:

Fal to too a riddle doo.

Fal to toodle

I doe. As l gaed in by

Monymustk.

The moon was shining clear;

And I held on to

Lethendy To see my

Maggie dear.

I did gang when

I did think

That a' were sleepin' soun',

But plague upon yon auld wife

For she cam' slinkin' doon.

Sae cannily she slipped the lock

And set the door agee;

Then crawled upon her hands and knees

To see what it could be.

Then to the bells, wi' a' her micht

Sae loud she made thern ring.

Till faith! l thoeht aboot my lugs

The biggin she would bring.

And when she saw l wouldna slip.

She ran to the guidman.

Says: "There's a lad into the hoose. And that l winna stand. "

For it is a most disgraceful thing.

It would provoke a saunt.

To see a' the servant girls wi' lads.

When the gentle anes maun want." "

Providence has acted wrang.

Sic pleasures for to gie

Tae ony servant lad or lass

Just working for a fee." The auld man he cam' ben himsel' And he pushed ben his heid; Guidfaith! I thocht it was a ghost Just risen frae the deid. He'd duddy draws upon his legs, He'd on a cap o' white. And he'd a face as lang's my leg And in his hand a light. He's ta'en me by the shoulders broad An' pushed me oot o' doors. Thinks I, my auld lad, I'll come back When sleepin' gars ye snore.