Sweethearts a score I whyles rhyme ow’r—their names, Bell, Barb’ra, Bess,
Ann, Kirsty, Kate, May, Margaret, Jean, Georgie, Jamesie, Jess,
Johanna, Helen, Hannah, Agnes, Maries twae or three,
An’ a pauchtie dame I’m sweir to name, the dearest yince to me.
But monie a day has passed away, ay, monie a lang dark year,
Sin I’d the chance o’ smile or glance frae them lang syne sae dear,
An’ hoo they’ve fared, whase lots they’ve shared, or where the hames they’ve blest,
May sometime be revealed to me—but noo it’s just a mist.
My schulemates! hoo they’re squander’t noo, I haena words to say,
Some east away, some wast away, they a’ gaed far away—