The Merry Muses of Caledonia/Beware of the Ripples

by Robert Burns

BEWARE OF THE RIPPLES.

Tune—"The Tailer fell thro' the bed."

This is an old song, on which Burns modelled "The Bonie Moor-Hen," which Clarinda advised him not to publish "for your sake, and for mine," in a letter dated January 30, 1788. Scott Douglas published it in his Kilmarnock edition, with a quotation from the old version in his introductory note (Vol. II., p. 275).

I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man,
I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man,
Tho' the saddle be saft, ye needna ride aft,
For fear that the girdin' beguile you, young man.

I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man,
I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man;
Tho' music be pleasure, tak' music in measure,
Or ye may want wind in your whistle, young man.

I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man,
I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man;
Whate'er you bestow, do less than ye dow,
The mair will be thought of your kindness, young man.

I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man,
I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man,
If you would be strang, and wish to live lang.
Dance less wi' your a—e to the kipples, young man.