Some of our readers will remember the humorous old Scotch song in which these verses occur:
“Auld wifie, auld wifie, will ye go a-shearing?”
“Speak a little louder, sir, I’m unco dull o’ hearing.”
“Auld wifie, auld wifie, will ye let me kiss ye?”
“I hear a little better, sir, may a’ the warld bless ye.”
In Cheshire and Staffordshire the lines run thus:
“Old woman, old woman, may I come and kiss you?”
“Yes, and thank you kindly, sir, and may Heaven bless you.”
Many will recognize these old verses: