Virgin's Choice, or, Youth Preferred to Old Age/Tarry Woo

TARRY WOO

Tarry woo, tarry woo,
 Tarry woo is ill spin,
Card it well, card it well,
Card it well e'er ye begin.

 When 'tis carded, rov'd and spun,
Then the wark is hastens done;
But when woven, drest and clean,
It may be cleading for a Queen.

 Sing my bonny harmless sheep,
That feed upon the mountains steep;
Bleating sweetly as they go,
Through the winter's frost and snow;

 Hart and hind, and fallow deer,
Not by far so useful are;
Frae kings to hin that hauds the plow,
Are all oblig'd to tarry woo.

 Up ye shepherds, dance and skip,
O'er the hills and valleys trip,
Sing up the praise of tarry woo,
Sing the flocks that bear it too:

 Harmless creatures without blame,
That clead the back and warm the wame,
Keeps us warm and hearty fu';
Loose me on my tarry woo.

 Now happy is a shepherd's life!
Far frae courts, and free frae strife,
While the gimmers bleat and bae,
And the lambkins answer-Mae!

 No such music to his ear.
Of thief and fox he has no fear;
Sturdy kent and colly too,
Well defend the tarry woo.

 He lives content, and envies none;
Not ev'n a monarch on his throne,
Though he the royal sceptre sways,
Has not sweeter holy days.

 Who'd be a king can ony tell,
When a shepherd lives so well;
Sings sae well, and pays his due,
With honest heart and tarry woo.