The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 87

There's Nae Luck about the House

There's Nae Luck about the House.

Moderately. And are ye sure the news is true? And are ye sure he's weel? Is this a time to talk o wark, Ye jades, fling by your wheel? Is this a time to think o' wark, When Co-lin's at the door; Rax1 me my cloak, I'll to the quay, And 1 Reach.

see him come a - shore. For there's nae luck a - bout the house, There's nae luck a- - va'; There s lit - tie plea-sure m the house, when our guid-man's a - wa'.

Rise up and mak' a clean fireside,
Put on the muckle pat;
1
Gi'e little Kate her cotton gown,
And Jock his Sunday hat.
And mak' their shoon as black as slaes,
Their hose as white as snaw;
It's a' to please my ain guidman,
For he's been lang awa'.

[There's twa fat hens upon the bauk,
They've 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 2 ilka thing look braw;
For wha can tell how Colin fared,
When he was far awa'.]

Come, gi'e me down my bigonet, 3
My bishop-satin gown;
And rin and tell the Bailie's wife
That Colin's come to town:
My Sunday shoon they maun gae on,
My hose o' pearl blue;
It's a to please my ain guidman.
For he's baith leal and true.

Sae true his heart, sae smooth his speech,
His breath like caller air;
His very fit 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 dizzie wi' the thought,
In troth I'm like to greet. 4

[The cauld blasts o' the winter wind,
That thirl'd through my heart,
They're a' blawn by; I ha'e him safe,
'Till death we'll never part.
But what puts parting in my mind,
It may be far awa';
The present moment is our ain,
The neist we never saw!]

[Since Colin's weel, I'm weel content,
I ha'e nae mair to crave;
Could I but live to mak' him blest,
I'm blest aboon the lave. 5
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.]

1 Large Pot.

2 Make.

3 A linen cap, or coif.

4 To shed tears.

5 Above all others.