Meg Merrilies' chant

Wasted, weary, wherefore stay,

Wrestling thus with earth and clay?

From the body pass away; —

⁠⁠⁠Hark! the mass is singing.

From thee doff thy mortal weed,

Mary Mother be thy speed.

Saints to help thee at thy need; —

⁠⁠⁠Hark! the knell is ringing.

Fear not snow-drift driving fast,

Sleet, or hail, or levin blast;

Soon the shroud shall lap thee fast,

And the sleep be on thee cast

⁠⁠⁠That shall ne'er know waking.

Haste thee, haste thee, to be gone.

Earth flits fast, and time draws on, —

Gasp thy gasp, and groan thy groan,

⁠⁠⁠Day is near the breaking.

Heaven cannot abide it,

Earth refuses to hide it.

Open lock — end strife,

Come death, and pass life.