For a' that and a' that (1818)/Let Drunkards Sing

For other versions of this work, see Let Drunkards Sing.

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Kate O' Gowrie

For a' that and a' that

Let Drunkards Sing

Blythe and happy are we

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3322212For a' that and a' that — Let Drunkards Sing

LET DRUNKARDS SING.

Tune—Willie brew'd a peck of maut.

Let drunkards sing in praise of wine,Their midnight balls and social glee;But Scotia's sons may fidge fu' fain,While they hae rowth o' barley bree.

French brandy is but trash, shame fa't!Their foreign rum I downa prie;Gie me the sterling pith o' maut,Aboon them a' it bears the gree.

The workman wha has toil'd all day,Sits down at night frae labour free; See care is fled—his smile how gay,When owre a pint o' barley bree.French brandy &c.

Gif onie ane in barlock-hood,Should wi' his neibour disagree;Let them baith gang in jovial mood,And settled owre the barley bree.French brandy &c.

For barley drink wad they but think,Is cheaper than a lawyer's fee;Though sairly vext ay mind the text,'It's best to tak a pint and gree.'French brandy &c.

I've seen a child could hardly speak,When not a drap was in his ee;But he could lecture for a week,Just gie him ay the whisky, free.French brandy &c.

Whan I've a baubee in my pouch,I aften birl it frank and free:Then care can never mak me crouch;The life of man is barley bree.French brandy &c.