The Book of Scottish Song/My Wife shall ha'e her will
My Wife shall ha'e her will.
[From "The North Countrie Garland," a small collection printed at Edinburgh in 1824, for private distribution.]
If my dear wife should chance to gang,
Wi' me, to Edinburgh toun,
Into a shop I will her tak',
And buy her a new goun.
But if my dear wife should hain the charge
As I expect she will,
And if she says, The auld will do,
By my word she shall ha'e her will.
If my dear wife should wish to gang,
To see a neebor or friend,
A horse or a chair I will provide,
And a servant to attend.
But if my dear wife shall hain the charge,
As I expect she will,
And if she says, I'll walk on foot,
By my word she shall lia'c her will.
If my dear wife shall bring me a son,
As I expect she will,
Cake and wine I will provide,
And a nurse to nurse the child.
But if my dear wife shall hain the charge,
As I expect she will,
And if she says, She'll nurs't hersel',
By my word she shall ha'e her will.