3
In days when our-king Robert rang;
His trews they cost but half-a-crown;
He said they were a groat owre dear,
An' ca'd the tailor thief and loun.
.
He was the king that wore a crown,
And thou'rt a man o' low degree;
It's pride puts a' the country down,
Sae tak' your auld cloak about ye.
Ev'ry land has its ain laugh,
Ilk kind of' corn has its ain hool;
I think the world is a' run wrang,
When ilka wife her man wad rule.
Do you not see Bob, Jock, and Hab,
How they are girded gallantly,
While I sit hurklin in the ase?
I'll hae a new cloak about me!
Gudeman! I wat 'tis thirty year,
Sin' we did ane anither ken;
And we hae had, atween us twa,
O'lads and bonny lasses ten:
Now they are women grown and men,
I wish and pray weel may they be;
And if you prove a good husband,
E'en tak' your auld cloak about ye,
Bell, my wife, she lo'es nae strife,
But she wad guide me if she can;
And to maintain an easy life,
I aft man yield, tho' I'm gudeman.
Nought's to be won at woman's hand,
Unless ye gie her a' the plea;
Then I'll leave aff whare I began,
And tak my auld cloak about me.
