THE MONYMUSTK LADS



As l cam' in bY Monymustk

And doon by Alford's dale,

A sad misfortune happened to me

And l think nae shame to tell.



cho: Fal to too a riddle doo.

Fal to toodle I doe.



As l gaed in by Monymustk.

The moon was shining clear;

And I held on to Lethendy

To see my Maggie dear.



I did gang when I did think

That a' were sleepin' soun',

But plague upon yon auld wife

For she cam' slinkin' doon.

Sae cannily she slipped the lock

And set the door agee;

Then crawled upon her hands and knees

To see what it could be.



Then to the bells, wi' a' her micht

Sae loud she made thern ring.

Till faith! l thoeht aboot my lugs

The biggin she would bring.



And when she saw l wouldna slip.

She ran to the guidman.

Says: "There's a lad into the hoose.

And that l winna stand.



"For it is a most disgraceful thing.

It would provoke a saunt.

To see a' the servant girls wi' lads.

When the gentle anes maun want."

"Providence has acted wrang.

Sic pleasures for to gie

Tae ony servant lad or lass

Just working for a fee."



The auld man he cam' ben himsel'

And he pushed ben his heid;

Guidfaith! I thocht it was a ghost

Just risen frae the deid.



He'd duddy draws upon his legs,

He'd on a cap o' white.

And he'd a face as lang's my leg

And in his hand a light.



He's ta'en me by the shoulders broad

An' pushed me oot o' doors.

Thinks I, my auld lad, I'll come back

When sleepin' gars ye snore.

From Folk Songs and Ballads of Scotland, MacColl

@nightvisit @Scots @servant

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