My father couldna work, and my mother couldna spin,

I toil’d day and night, but their bread I couldna win;

Auld Rob maintained them baith, and wi’ tears in his e’e

Said ‘Jennie, for their sakes, O, marry me!’

My heart it said nay; I look’d for Jamie back;

But the wind it blew high, and the ship it was a wrack;

His ship it was a wrack—why didna Jamie dee?

Or why do I live to cry, Wae’s me!

My father urged me sair: my mother didna speak;

But she looked in my face till my heart was like to break