Three Songs (Edinburgh)/Captain Glen's Unhappy Voyage, etc./The Cheering Bowl

The cheering Bowel.

COME, join me, ilka social soul,
  Wha tastes o' cheering pleasures,
Behold the reaming nappy bowl,
  An' hearken to its treasures.
The cauld unfeeling heart it warms,
  The wisest head it brightens;
It makes us bear affliction's storms,
  And ilka joy it heightens
When lads an' lasses chance to meet,
  At bridal, fair, or dancing,
The smile o' love is ne'er sae sweet,
  Till Nappy's well advancing.
But then ilk billy grasps his lass,
  The pliable and grunting,
An' tooming out the tither glass,
  They're roaring an' they're ranting.
An' when the glow o' youth is gane,
  An' sober sense re-plac'd it,
In time o' need folk's unco fain,
  For friendly aid to tase it.
An' winter gay wi' frosty scoul,
  An' ev'ry power distending,
Is melted by the kindly bowl,
  An' looks like simmer shining.
There's some will cant an' mak a wark,
  An' canna pree a drap o't;
But when alane, or in the dark,
  Can sweetly toom a cap o't.
But we in love and friendship free,
  Will round the table hand it,
I'll drink to you, and you to me,
  As lang's we're fit to stand it.