CHARLEWAYN[17]

(Yestere’n was Hallowe’en, To-day is Hallow-day, It’s nine free nichts to Martinmas, And then we’ll get away. Old Song among Angus Farm Servants.)

Frae Hallowe’en to Martinmas There’s little time to fill, And yet there’s mony a warkin’ lass Thinks a’ the days stand still. Oh, cauld the mornin’ creeps on nicht Alang the eerie skies, An’ cauld the blink o’ caun’le-licht That lets me see to rise. For late an’ airly at the fairm The wark seems niver past, But a week, come Monday, brings the tairm When I may flit at last. My mither hauds her docters ticht, My mither’s hoose is sma’, An’ I niver lo’ed my mither richt Until I gaed awa. But yestere’en was Hallowe’en When a’ may dance an’ sing; The auld guidwife shut doon her e’en, The young anes got their fling; Set up, the fiddler wrocht. Below, The reel swang ilka ane, But my feet danced oot to meet my joe By the licht o’ Charlewayn. My mither’s hame’s a happy hame Whaur easy I may lie, And o’ mysel’ I’m thinkin’ shame, Sic a feckless queyn am I. For, by the licht o’ Charlewayn, It’s Rab that gar’d me lairn To see a lover’s lass mair plain E’en than a mither’s bairn. Aye, yestere’en was Hallowe’en, An’ Martinmas is near; It’s wae for Martinmas I’ve been But it’s like to find me here!