But now I am the sickest bird
That ever sat on brier;
And I wad make my testament,
Guidman, if ye wad hear.
"Gar tak this bonnie neb o' mine,
That picks upon the corn,
And gie 't to the Duke o' Hamilton
To be a hunting horn.
"Gar tak these bonnie feathers o' mine,
The feathers o' my neb,
And gie to the Lady o' Hamilton
To fill a feather-bed.
"Gar tak this guid right leg o' mine
And mend the brig o' Tay;
It will be a post and pillar guid,
It will neither ban nor gae.
"And tak this other leg o' mine
And mend the brig o'er Weir;
It will be a post and pillar guid,
It'll neither ban nor steer.
[Pg 193] (Herd only).
"Gar tak these bonnie feathers o' mine
The feathers o' my tail,
And gie to the Lady o' Hamilton
To be a barn-flail.
"Gar tak these bonnie feathers o' mine
The feathers o' my breast,
And gie to ony bonnie lad
That'll bring me to a priest."
Now in there came my Lady Wren
With mony a sigh and groan;
"O what care I for a' the lads
If my wee lad be gone?"
Then robin turned him round about
E'en like a little king,
"Go, pack ye out at my chamber door,
Ye little cutty quean."