The Book of Scottish Song/O, wha's that

O, wha's that.

[Written by Ramsay, who calls it in his Tea Table Miscellany "The Auld Man's best argument." It is sung to the tune of "Widow, are waking?" the beginning of an old licentious song.]

O wha's that at my chamber-door?
"Fair widow, are ye waking?"
Auld carle, your suit give o'er,
Your love lyes a' in tawking.
Gi'e me the lad that's young and tight,
Sweet like an April meadow;
'Tis sic as he can bless the sight,
And bosom of a widow.

"O widow, wilt thou let me in
I'm pawky, wise and thrifty,
And come of a right gentle kin;
I'm little more than fifty."
Daft carle, dit your mouth,
What signifies how pawky,
Or gentle born ye be,—bot youth,
In love you're but a gawky.

"Then, widow, let these guineas speak,
That powerfully plead clinkan,
And if they fail my mouth I'll steek,
And nae mair love will think on."
These court indeed, I maun confess,
I think they make you young, sir,
And ten times better can express
Affection, than your tongue, sir.

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