Auld Matrons

My love she is a gentlewoman

Has her living by the seam

I ken nae how she is provided

This nicht for me and my foot-groom

Willie's gane tae Annie's bower door

And tirled gently at the pin

Sleep ye or wake ye, my dear Annie?

Open the door and let me in

Wi' her white fingers lang and sma'

She's lifted gently at the pin

Flang her arms a' aboot him

Kindly welcomed Willie in

O, will ye gang tae cairds or dice

Willie will ye gang tae play

Or will ye gang tae a weel-made bed

And lie and sleep awhile till day?

My love Annie, my dear Annie

I would be at your desire

If it wasna for yon auld matrons

Sitting by the kitchen fire

Willie dear, keep up your hairt

Keep up your hairt and dinna fear

For seven year and mair hae passed

Since last her feet did file the fleer

They hadna kissed nor gi'en love's handsel

The way of lovers when they meet

When up arose yon auld matrons

And sae weel she spread her feet

O woe befa' yon auld matrons

Sae clever as she took the gate

And she's gane up yon high, high hill

And chappit at the sheriff's yett

Sleep ye or wake ye, my good lord

And are ye no your bower within?

There's a knicht in bed wi' your dochter

And I fear she's gotten wrang

Ye'll gae doon through Kelso toon

And wauken a' my merry men

And when ye hae this wark weel done

Then I will come and tak' command

She's done her doon through Kelso toon

And waukened a' his merry men

And when she has this wark well doon

Then he has come and ta'en command

He has his horse wi' corn foddered

A' his men were armed in mail

He's gi'en auld matrons half a mark

Tae lead his men oot o