IV.
The bird that charm’d his summer-day,
Is now the cruel fowler’s prey;
Let witless, trusting woman say
How aft her fate’s the same, jo.
I tell you now this ae night,
This ae, ae, ae night;
And ance for a’ this ae night,
I winna let you in jo!
CCXLVIII.
THE DUMFRIES VOLUNTEERS.
Tune—“Push about the jorum.”
[This national song was composed in April, 1795. The poet had been at a public meeting, where he was less joyous than usual: as something had been expected from him, he made these verses, when he went home, and sent them, with his compliments, to Mr. Jackson, editor of the Dumfries Journal. The original, through the kindness of my friend, James Milligan, Esq., is now before me.]
I.
Does haughty Gaul invasion threat,
Then let the loons beware, Sir,
There’s wooden walls upon our seas,
And volunteers on shore, Sir.
The Nith shall run to Corsincon,
And Criffel sink in Solway,
Ere we permit a foreign foe
On British ground to rally!
II.