The Black-Bird Songster/The Boatie Rows
THE BOATIE ROWS.
O weel may the boatie row,
And better may it speed;
And liesome may the boatie row,
That wins my bairns' bread;
The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
The boatie rows indeed;
And weel may the boatie row,
That wins the bairns' bread.
When Jamie vow'd he wad be mine,
And wan frae me my heart,
O mucklo lighter grew my creel,
He swore we'd never part:
The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
The boatie rows fu' weel,
And muckle lighter is the load,
When love bears up the creel.
When Sawney, Jock an' Janetie,
Are up and gotten lair;
They'll help to gar the boatie row,
And lighten a' our care.
Tho boatie rows, tho boatie rows,
The boatie rows fu' weel,
And lightsome bo her heart that bears
The murlain and the creel.
And whan wi' age we're worn down,
And hirpling round the door,
They'll help to keep us dry and warm,
As wo did them before;
Then weel may the boatie row,
She wins the bairns' bread
And happy be tho lot of a',
That wish the boatie speed.