CXXI.
Reading edition
O, FOR ANE-AND-TWENTY, TAM!
Tune—“The Moudiewort.”
[In his memoranda on this song in the Museum, Burns says simply, “This song is mine.” The air for a century before had to bear the burthen of very ordinary words.]
CHORUS.
An O, for ane-and-twenty, Tam, An’ hey, sweet ane-and-twenty, Tam, I’ll learn my kin a rattlin’ sang, An I saw ane-and-twenty, Tam.
I.
They snool me sair, and haud me down, And gar me look like bluntie, Tam! But three short years will soon wheel roun’— And then comes ane-and-twenty, Tam.
II.
A gleib o’ lan’, a claut o’ gear, Was left me by my auntie, Tam, At kith or kin I need na spier, An I saw ane-and-twenty, Tam.
III.
They’ll hae me wed a wealthy coof, Tho’ I mysel’ hae plenty, Tam; But hear’st thou, laddie—there’s my loof— I’m thine at ane-and-twenty, Tam. An O, for ane-and-twenty, Tam! An hey, sweet ane-and-twenty, Tam! I’ll learn my kin a rattlin’ song, An I saw ane-and-twenty, Tam.