To mind baith saul an' body,
Sit round the table, weel content,
An' steer about the toddy. [stir]
On this ane's dress, an' that ane's leuk, [look]
They're makin observations;
While some are cosy i' the neuk, [corner]
An' formin' assignations
To meet some day.
But now the Lord's ain trumpet touts, [sounds]
Till a' the hills are rairin', [roaring]
An' echoes back return the shouts;
Black Russel is na sparin';
His piercing words, like Highlan' swords,
Divide the joints an' marrow;
His talk o' Hell, where devils dwell,
Our very 'sauls does harrow'
Wi' fright that day!
A vast, unbottom'd, boundless pit,
Fill'd fou o' lowin' brunstane, [full, flaming brimstone]
Whase ragin' flame, an' scorchin' heat,
Wad melt the hardest whun-stane!
The half-asleep start up wi' fear
An' think they hear it roarin'
When presently it does appear
'Twas but some neebor snorin'
Asleep that day.
'Twad be owre lang a tale to tell
How mony stories past,
An' how they crowded to the yill, [ale]
When they were a' dismist;
How drink gaed round, in cogs an' caups, [wooden drinking vessels]
Amang the furms and benches;
An' cheese an' bread, frae women's laps,
Was dealt about in lunches, [full portions]
An' dawds that day. [lumps]
In comes a gawsie, gash guidwife, [jolly, sensible]
An' sits down by the fire,
Syne draws her kebbuck an' her knife; [Then, cheese]
The lasses they are shyer.
The auld guidmen, about the grace,
Frae side to side they bother,
Till some are by his bonnet lays,
An' gi'es them't like a tether, [rope]
Fu' lang that day.
Waesucks! for him that gets nae lass, [Alas!]
Or lasses that hae naething!
Sma' need has he to say a grace,
Or melvie his braw claithing! [make dusty]
O wives, be mindful, ance yoursel
How bonnie lads ye wanted,
An' dinna for
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