The Book of Scottish Song/Todlin' Hame 2
Todlin' Hame.
[Written by Joanna Baillie for George Thomson's collection—Inserted by permission.]
When white was my o'erlay as foam o' the linn,
And siller was clinkin' my pouches within;
When my lambkins were bleating on meadow and brae;
As I gaed to my love in new cleeding sae gay,
Kind was she, and my friends were free
But poverty parts gude companie.
How swift pass'd the minutes and hours of delight!
The piper play'd cheerly, the crusie burn'd bright;
And link'd in my hand was the maiden sae dear,
As she footed the floor in her holiday gear.
Woe is me, and can it then be,
That poverty parts sic companie!
We met at the fair, we met at the kirk,
We met in the sunshine, and met in the mirk,
And the sounds of her voice, and the blinks of her een,
The cheering and life of my bosom have been.
Leaves frae the tree at Martinmas flee;
And poverty parts sweet companie.
At bridal and infare I've braced me wi' pride;
The bruse I ha'e won, and a kiss o' the bride;
And loud was the laughter gay fellows among,
When I utter'd my banter and chorus'd my song.
Dowie to dree are jesting and glee,
When poverty parts gude companie.
Wherever I gaed the blythe lasses smiled sweet,
And mithers and aunties were mair than discreet,
While kebbuck and bicker were set on the board;
But now they pass by me, and never a word.
So let it be, for the worldly and slie
Wi' poverty keep nae companie.