The Book of Scottish Song/Galloway Tam

Galloway Tam.

[Galloway Tam is said to have been a stalwart gypsey in Galloway of the name of Thomas Marshall, some of whose descendants can still be traced. We cannot speak as to the age of the song, but in Gordon of Straloch's MS. Lute Book, 1627, "Gallua Tam" occurs as the title of an air. In the "Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song," two additional verses are given to the present, but they are evidently spurious, and scarcely fit for quoting.]

O, Galloway Tam came here to woo—
I'd rather we'd gi'en him the bawsand cow;
For our lass Bess may curse and ban
The wanton wit o' Galloway Tam!

O Galloway Tam came here to shear—
I'd rather we'd gi'en him the guid gray mare
He kiss'd the gudewife, and dang the gudeman—
And that's the tricks o' Galloway Tam!

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