The Singers' Companion/The Boatie Rows
THE BOATIE ROWS.
O weel may the boatie row,
And better may she speed;
And liesome may the boatie row
That wins the bairns’ bread;
The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
The boatie rows indeed;
And weel may the boatie row,
That wins my bairns’ bread.
When Jamie vow’d he wad be mine
And wan frae me my heart,
O muckle lighter grew my creel,
He swore we’d never part:
The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
The boatie rows, fu’ weel,
And muckle lighter is the load,
When love bears up the creel.
There Sawney, Jock, and Janetie
Are up and gotten lair;
They’ll help to gar the boatie row,
And lighten a’ our care.
The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
The boatie rows fu’ weel,
And lightsome be her heart that bears
The murlain and the creel.
And when wi’ age we’re worn down,
And hirpling round the door,
They’ll help to keep us dry and warm,
As we did them before;
Then weel may the boatie row,
She wins the bairns’ bread;
And happy be the lot o’ a’,
That wish the boatie speed.