I hae laid a herring in saut

I hae laid a herring in saut –

Lass, gin ye lo'e me tell me know;

I hae brew'd a forpit o' maut,

And I canna come ilka day to woo:

I hae a calf that will soon be a cow –

Lass, gin ye lo'e me tell me know;

I hae a stook, and I'll soon hae a mowe,

And I canna come ilka day to woo:

I hae a house upon yon moor –

Lass, gin ye lo'e me tell me know;

Three sparrows may dance upon the floor,

And I canna come ilka day to woo:

I hae a but, and I hae a ben -

Lass, gin ye lo'e me tell me know;

A penny to keep, and a penny to spen',

And I canna come ilka day to woo:

I hae a hen wi' a happitie-leg –

Lass, gin ye lo'e me tell me know;

That ilka day lays me an egg,

And I canna come ilka day to woo:

I hae a cheese upon my skelf -

Lass, gin ye lo'e me tell me know;

And soon wi' mites 'twill rin itself,

And I canna come ilka day to woo.