Maggie Lauder

Wha wadna be in love

Wi' bonie Maggy Lauder?

A piper met her gaun to Fife,

And spier'd what was't they ca'd her?

Right scornfully she answer'd him,

"Begone, you hallanshaker;

"Jogg on your gate, you bladderskate,

"My name is Maggy Lauder."

"Maggy," quo' he, "and by my bags,

"I'm fidging fain to see thee;

"Sit down by me, my bonie bird,

"In troth I winna steer thee:

"For I'm a piper to my trade,

"My name is Rob the Ranter;

"The lasses loup as they were daft

"When I blaw up my chanter."

"Piper," quo' Meg, "ha'e ye your bags,

"Or is your drone in order?

"If you be Rob, I've heard of you;

"Live you upo' the border?

"The lasses a', baith far and near

"Have heard of Rob the Ranter;

"I'll shake my foot wi' right good-will,

"Gif you'll blaw up your chanter."

Then to his bags he flew with speed,

About the drone he twisted;

Meg up, and wallop'd o'er the green,

For brawly could she frisk it.

"Weel done," quo' he "Play up," quo' she:

"Weel bobb'd," quo' Rob the Ranter;

"It's worth my while to play indeed,

"When I ha'e sic a dancer."

"Weel ha'e you play'd your part," quo' Meg,

"Your cheeks are like the crimson;

"There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel,

"Since we lost Habby Simson.

"I've liv'd in Fife, baith maid and wife,

"These ten years and a quarter;

"Gin you should come to Anst'er fair,

"Spier ye for Maggy Lauder."