The Greenock Railway/O What Will a' the Lads Do

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see When Maggie gangs away.

O WHAT WILL A' THE LADS DO?

O what will a' the lads do
When Maggy gangs away?
O what will a' the lads do,
When Maggy gangs away?
There's no a heart in a' the glen
That disna dread the day;
O what will a' the lads do
When Maggy gangs away?

Young Jock has ta'en the hill for't,
A waefu' wight is he;
Poor Harry's ta'en the bed for't,
And laid him down to dee.
And Sandy's gane unto the kirk,
And learning fast to pray;
And O what will the lads do,
When Maggy gangs awa?

The young laird o' the Langshaw
Has drunk her health in wine;
The priest in confidence has said
The lassie was divine;
And that is mair in maiden's praise
Than ony priest should say;
But O what will the lads do
When Maggy gangs away?

The wailing in our green glen
That day will quaver high;
'Twill draw the redbreast frae the wood,
The laverock frae the sky;
The fairies frae their beds o' dew
Will rise and join the lay;
O hey! what a day will be
When Maggy gangs away.

 

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