The Canary/Sic a Wife as Willie had

by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

For other versions of this work, see Sic a Wife as Willie had.

Sic a Wife as Willie had.

Willie Wastle dwelt on Tweed,
The spot they ca'd it Linkumdodie,
Willie was a wabster gude,
Cou'd stown a clue wi' ony body,
⟨He⟩ had a wife was dour and din,
O Tinkler Maggy was her mither,
Sic a wife as Willie had,
I wad na gie a button for her.

⟨She⟩ has an e'e, she has but ane;
⟨The⟩ cat has twa the very colour,
⟨Five⟩ rusty teeth, forbye a stump,
⟨A⟩ clapper tongue wad deave a miller,
⟨A whiskin⟩ beard about her mou',
⟨Her⟩ nose and chin they threaten ither;
Sic a wife, &c.

⟨She⟩ bow-hough'd, she's hem-shinn'd,
⟨Ae⟩ limpin leg a hand-breed shorter;
⟨She's⟩ twisted right, she's twisted left,
⟨To⟩ balance fair on ilka quarter,
⟨She has⟩ a hump upon her breast,
⟨The⟩ twin o' that upon her shouther;
Sic a wife, &c

Auld baudrons by the ingle sits,
An' wi' her loof her face a-washin;
But Willie's wife is nae fae trig,
She dights her grunzie wi' a hushion;
Her walie neives like midden creels,
Her face wad fyle the Logan-water
Sic a wife as Willie had,
I wad na gie a button for her.