Chorus
For a" that, an" a" that, An" twice as muckle"s a" that; My dearest bluid, to do them guid, They"re welcome till"t for a" that.
Recitativo
So sang the bard--and Nansie"s wa"s Shook with a thunder of applause, Re-echo"d from each mouth!
They toom"d their pocks, they p.a.w.n"d their duds, They scarcely left to co"er their fuds, To quench their lowin drouth: Then owre again, the jovial thrang The poet did request To lowse his pack an" wale a sang, A ballad o" the best; He rising, rejoicing, Between his twa Deborahs, Looks round him, an" found them Impatient for the chorus.
Air
Tune--"Jolly Mortals, fill your Gla.s.ses."
See the smoking bowl before us, Mark our jovial ragged ring!
Round and round take up the chorus, And in raptures let us sing--
Chorus
A fig for those by law protected!
Liberty"s a glorious feast!
Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.
What is t.i.tle, what is treasure, What is reputation"s care?
If we lead a life of pleasure, "Tis no matter how or where!
A fig for, &c.
With the ready trick and fable, Round we wander all the day; And at night in barn or stable, Hug our doxies on the hay.
A fig for, &c.
Does the train-attended carriage Thro" the country lighter rove?
Does the sober bed of marriage Witness brighter scenes of love?
A fig for, &c.
Life is al a variorum, We regard not how it goes; Let them cant about decorum, Who have character to lose.
A fig for, &c.
Here"s to budgets, bags and wallets!
Here"s to all the wandering train.
Here"s our ragged brats and callets, One and all cry out, Amen!
Chorus
A fig for those by law protected!
Liberty"s a glorious feast!
Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.
Song--For A" That^1
Tune--"For a" that."
Tho" women"s minds, like winter winds, May shift, and turn, an" a" that, The n.o.blest breast adores them maist-- A consequence I draw that.
Chorus
For a" that, an" a" that, And twice as meikle"s a" that; The bonie la.s.s that I loe best She"ll be my ain for a" that.
Great love I bear to a" the fair, Their humble slave, an" a" that; But lordly will, I hold it still A mortal sin to thraw that.
For a" that, &c.
But there is ane aboon the lave, Has wit, and sense, an" a" that; A bonie la.s.s, I like her best, And wha a crime dare ca" that?
For a" that, &c.
In rapture sweet this hour we meet, Wi" mutual love an" a" that,
[Footnote 1: A later version of "I am a bard of no regard" in "The Jolly Beggars."]
But for how lang the flie may stang, Let inclination law that.
For a" that, &c.
Their tricks an" craft hae put me daft.
They"ve taen me in, an" a" that; But clear your decks, and here"s--"The s.e.x!"
I like the jads for a" that.
For a" that, &c.
Song--Merry Hae I Been Teethin A Heckle