Willie was a wanton wag (1823)/Willie was a wanton wag

WILLIE WAS A WANTON WAG.

Willie was a wanton wag,
The blythest lad that e'er I saw,
At bridals still he bore the brag,
And carried ay the gree awa.
His doublet was of Zetland shag,
And wow! but Willie he was blaw,
And at his shouther hang a tag,
That pleas'd the lasses best of a'.

He was a man without a clag,
His heart was frank without a flaw;
And ay whatever Willie said,
It still was hadden as a law.
His boots they were made of the jag.
When the went to the Weaponshaw,
Upon the green nave durst him brag,
The fight a ane amang them a'.

And wasna Willie weel worth gowd?
He wan the love of great and sma';
For after he the bride had kiss'd,
He kiss'd the lasses hale sale a'.
Sae merrily round the ring they row'd,

When by the hand he led them a',
And smack on smack on them bestow'd
By virtue of a standing law.

And wasna Willie a great loon,
As shyre a lick as e'er was seen?
When he danc'd wi' the lasses round,
The bridegroom spier'd whar he had been.
Quo' Willie, I've been at the ring,
Wi' bobbing, faith my shanks are sair;
Gae ca' your bride and maidens in,
For Willie he dow do nae mair.

Then rest ye, Willie, I'll gae out,
And for a wee fill up the ring
But, shame light on his souple snout.
He wanted Willie's wan in fling.
Then straight he to the bride did fare,
Say, Leeze me on your bonny face;
Wi' bobbing, Willie's shanks are sair,
And I'm come out to fill his place.

Bridegroom, she says, you'll spoil the dance,
And at the ring you'll ay be lag,
Unless, like Willie, ye advance:
O! Willie has a wanton leg;

For wi't he learns us a' to steer,
And foremost ay bears up the ring,
We will find nae sic dancing here,
If we want Willie's wanton fling.