CHARLEWAYN[17]
(Yestere’n was Hallowe’en,To-day is Hallow-day,It’s nine free nichts to Martinmas,And then we’ll get away.Old Song among Angus Farm Servants.)
Frae Hallowe’en to MartinmasThere’s little time to fill,And yet there’s mony a warkin’ lassThinks a’ the days stand still.Oh, cauld the mornin’ creeps on nichtAlang the eerie skies,An’ cauld the blink o’ caun’le-lichtThat lets me see to rise.For late an’ airly at the fairmThe wark seems niver past,But a week, come Monday, brings the tairmWhen I may flit at last.My mither hauds her docters ticht,My mither’s hoose is sma’,An’ I niver lo’ed my mither richtUntil I gaed awa.But yestere’en was Hallowe’enWhen a’ may dance an’ sing;The auld guidwife shut doon her e’en,The young anes got their fling;Set up, the fiddler wrocht. Below,The reel swang ilka ane,But my feet danced oot to meet my joeBy the licht o’ Charlewayn.My mither’s hame’s a happy hameWhaur easy I may lie,And o’ mysel’ I’m thinkin’ shame,Sic a feckless queyn am I.For, by the licht o’ Charlewayn,It’s Rab that gar’d me lairnTo see a lover’s lass mair plainE’en than a mither’s bairn.Aye, yestere’en was Hallowe’en,An’ Martinmas is near;It’s wae for Martinmas I’ve beenBut it’s like to find me here!
FOOTNOTES:[17]Charles’ Wain, the Plough.
[17]Charles’ Wain, the Plough.
[17]Charles’ Wain, the Plough.