With Woe I nightly vigils keep,
Beneath thy wan, unwarming beam;
And mourn, in lamentation deep,
How life and love are all a dream.
[As he is ending the song, three men come to the door. One is James Armour, Jean’s father, another a Factor, and with them is Holy Willie. The Factor goes to the counter and drinks.]
Armour: So you can sing in the midst of the desolation you’ve caused.
Burns: It was no happy song, Mr. Armour.
Armour: There’s a warrant coming down the road for you.
Burns: But I cannot pay, I told you. I’ll work for Jean, but you’ll not let me.
Armour: I will not. I want no creeping seducer for a son-in-law.