I thought it once a lonesome life, a lonesome life, a lonesome life, I thought it once a lonesome life to ly so long my lane jo: But who would not my case regret, Since I am cursed with a mate? What once I long'd for, now I hate; I'm quite another man, jo:
When I was full out nineteen years, out nineteen years, out nineteen years, When I was full out nineteen years, I held my head fu' high, jo; Then I resolv'd to take a lass, Ne'er thought on what would come to pass, Nor look'd in Matrimony's, glass, till headlong down came I, jo.
Before the fatal marriage day, so keen was I, so keen was I, I rested neither night nor day, but wander'd up and down, jo. To please her I took meikle care, Ane would hae thought I sought nae mair In the wide warld to my share, but her wrapt in her gown, jo.
My own small stock did scarce defray, did scarce defray, did scarce defray, My own small stock did scarce defray half of the marriage charge, jo: For things belonging to a house, I gave, till I ne'er left a souce; O but I'm turned wond'rous douse, And siller's nae sae large, jo.
Her father and her friends likewise, her friends likewise, her friends likewise, Her father and her friends likewise did sorely lightly me, jo: But were I free, as I have been, I’d gang where I was never seen, Even to the town of Aberdeen, leave the birks of Abergeldie.
Divider from 'The Bonny Highland Lad', a chapbook printed in Falkirk in 1815
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