Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Francis T. Palgrave, ed. (1824–1897). The Golden Treasury. 1875.

William Julius Mickle

CLIV. The Sailor’s Wife

AND are ye sure the news is true?

And are ye sure he’s weel?

Is this the time to think o’ wark?

Ye jades, lay by your wheel;

Is this the time to spin a thread,

When Colin’s at the door?

Reach down my cloak, I’ll to the quay,

And see him come ashore.

For there’s nae luck about the house,

There’s nae luck at a’;

There’s little pleasure in the house

When our gudeman’s awa’.

And gie to me my bigonet,

My bishop’s satin gown;

For I maun tell the baillie’s wife

That Colin’s in the town.

My Turkey slippers maun gae on,

My stockins pearly blue:

It’s a’ to pleasure our gudeman,

For he’s baith leal and true.

Rise, lass, and mak’ a clean fireside,

Put on the muckle pot;

Gie little Kate her button gown

And Jock his Sunday coat;

And mak’ their shoon as black as slaes,

Their hose as white as snaw:

It’s a’ to please my ain gudeman,

For he’s been long awa’.

There’s twa fat hens upo’ the coop

Been fed this month and mair;

Mak’ haste and thraw their necks about,

That Colin weel may fare;

And spread the table neat and clean,

Gar ilka thing look braw,

For wha can tell how Colin fared

When he was far awa’?

Sae true his heart, sae smooth his speech,

His breath like caller air;

His very foot has music in’t

As he comes up the stair:

And will I see his face again?

And will I hear him speak?

I’m downright dizzy wi’ the thought,

In troth I’m like to greet!

If Colin’s weel, and weel content,

I hae nae mair to crave;

And gin I live to keep him sae,

I’m blest aboon the lave:

And will I see his face again,

And will I hear him speak?

I’m downright dizzy wi’ the thought,

In troth I’m like to greet!

For there’s nae luck about the house,

There’s nae luck at a’;

There’s little pleasure in the house

When our gudeman’s awa’.