The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 87
The Highland Man's Complaint
The Highland Man's Complaint.
Hersel po Highland shcnticman,
Pe auld as Pothwell Prig, man;
And many alterations soon
Amang to Lawland Whig, man.
Fa la la la, Fa la la la la, Fa la la la.
First when she to to Lawlands came,
Naiusel was driving cows, man,
There was nae laws to trouble him,
About to preeks or trews, man.
Fa la la la, Fa la la la la, etc.
Nainsel did wear te philobeg,
To plaid prick'd on her shoulder;
To guid claymore hung py her pelt;
Her pistol sharged with powder.
Scotland pe turn'd a Ningland now,
The laws pring in to caudger;
Nainsel wad dirk him for his deeds,
But oh, she fears to sodger!
Anither law came after tat,
Me never saw the like, man,
They mak a lang road on te crund,
And ca' him Turnimspike, man.
And wow she pe a ponny road,
Like Loudon corn-riggs, man,
Whore twa carts may gang on her,
And no preak ither's legs, man.
They charge a penny for ilka horse,
In troth she'll no be sheaper,
For nought but gaun upon the ground,
And they gic her a paper.
They take the horse then py te head,
And there they make him stand, man;
She tell thorn she had seen the day
They had nao sic command, man.
But she'll awa' to te Highland hills,
Where deil a ane dare turn her,
And no como near te turnimspike,
Unless it pe to purn her.