LXXVI.
Reading edition
FIRST WHEN MAGGY WAS MY CARE.
Tune—“Whistle o’er the lave o’t.”
[The air of this song was composed by John Bruce, of Dumfries, musician: the words, though originating in an olden strain, are wholly by Burns, and right bitter ones they are. The words and air are in the Museum.]
I.
First when Maggy was my care, Heaven, I thought, was in her air; Now we’re married—spier nae mair— Whistle o’er the lave o’t.— Meg was meek, and Meg was mild, Bonnie Meg was nature’s child; Wiser men than me’s beguil’d— Whistle o’er the lave o’t.
II.
How we live, my Meg and me, How we love, and how we ‘gree, I care na by how few may see; Whistle o’er the lave o’t.— Wha I wish were maggot’s meat, Dish’d up in her winding sheet, I could write—but Meg maun see’t— Whistle o’er the lave o’t.