Heaving of the Lead (1825)/Cauld blaws the wind

by John Hamilton (1761-1814)

For other versions of this work, see Up in the morning early (Hamilton).

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UP IN THE MORNING EARLY.

Cauld blaws the win' frae north to south
And drift is driving sairly;
The sheep are couring i' the height,
O sirs! it’s winter fairly.
Now up in the morning’s no for me,
Up in the morning early;
I'd rather gang supperless to my bed
Than rise in the morning early.

Rude rairs the blast amang the woods,
The branches tirlin barely;
Amang the chimney-taps it thuds,
And frost is nippin sairly.
Now up in the morning's no for me,
Up in the morning early;
To sit a' night I'd rather agree,
Than rise in the morning early.

The sun peeps o'er yon southland hill,
Like ony timorous carlie;
Just blinks a wee, then sinks again,
And that we find severely.
Now up in morning's no for me,
Up in the morning early;
When snaw blaws into the chimley cheek,
Wha'd rise in the morning early.

Nae linties lilt on hedge or bush,
Poor things, they suffer sairly;
In cauldrife quarters a' the night,
A' day they feed but sparely.
Now up in the morning's no for me,
Up in the morning early;
No fate can be waur, in wintertime,
Than rise in the morning early.

A cosey house, and cantie wife.
Keeps ay a body cheerly;
And pantry stow'd wi' meal and maul,
It answers unco rarely.
But up in the morning, na, na, na,
Up in the morning early;
The gowans maun glent on bank and brae,
When I rise in the morning early.