This warld’s cares are vain, John;
We’ll meet, and we’ll be fain,
In the land o’ the leal.”
The humorous and highly popular song entitled “The Laird o’ Cockpen,” was composed by Lady Nairne, in room of the older words connected with the air, “When she cam’ ben, she bobbit.” This is a song which every member of every Scotch audience has heard crooned or chirped in glee and waggery. It is matchless alike as respects scene and dramatis personæ, its fine suggestive touches, and its Scotch wut. The present Laird of Cockpen is the Earl of Dalhousie, an elder of the Free Church of Scotland, and grand-master of the Masonic Lodge of Scotland. We shall give this song also entire. The different style illustrates the genius of the authoress.
“The Laird o’ Cockpen he’s proud and he’s great,
His mind is ta’en up with the things o’ the state;
He wanted a wife his braw house to keep,
But favour wi’ wooin’ was fashious to seek.
“Down by the dyke-side a lady did dwell,
At his table-head he thought she’d look well;