The Drunken Exciseman (1)/When I was Young

WHEN I WAS YOUNG.

When I was young and in my prime,
My mother selt good ale;
I let the young men kiss my mouth,
But guarded well my tail
Till on a day came the young laird,
And he spoke wondrous crouse,
He'd make me lady of all his land,
Likewise my mother's house.

I answered him right sharply,
I said that will not do,
But give me fifty pounds in hand
And I'll be at bour bow.
The money then was telled down,
In silver and bright gold,
And I gave him my maidenhead,
And thought it was well sold.

The next he was a weaver lad,
Had plenty of yarn and cloth,
I got from him fifteen guineas
Besides a web of cloth.
I put a cod upon my wame,
In purpose to enrage him;
I got ten guineas then from him,
And he begged I would discharge him.

The next he was a bold merchant lad,
Who had good horse and packs,
He swore that he would marry me
Whenever he came back.
I got from him thirteen guineas,
Besides ribbons and rings,
And gave him my maidenhead,
Which he took in exchange.

I put a pack on every haunch,
A cod upon my wame,
And went unto the market place
My merchant for to find.
When he saw me he held out his paw,
And said, How do you do,
But weel I kent be did repent
For shame blushed on his brow.

I said I came to speak with him,
If once the fair was done;
So that very night he took the flight,
And travelled with the moon.
The next was a bold butcher lad,
Came past in search of veal,
And he was wanting to comply,
The flank and wame to fill.

He rifled me and touzled me,
And made me to comply,
I got no more but a veals head,
And a gill when ho came by.
I was tochered now with lint and woo,
A purse well worth the picking,
I fancied a taylor lad,
To whom I had a liking.

I sent for him, he came to me,
And then I told to him,
If he'd agree to marry me
I had a house to hold him.
The last of seven maidenheads,
So freely then I gave him;
'Twas far better than the rest,
For weel I wat it pleased him.

 

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