My heäir mid whiten as the snow,

My limbs grow weak, my step wear slow,

My droopèn head mid slowly vall

Above the han'-staff's glossy ball,

An' yeet, vor all a wid'nèn span

Ov years, mid change a livèn man,

My little child do still appear

To me wi' all his childhood's gear,

'Ithout a beard upon his chin,

'Ithout a wrinkle in his skin,