The half-asleep start up wi' fear
An' think they hear it roarin'
When presently it does appear
'Twas but some neebor snorin'
Asleep that day.

'Twad be owre lang a tale to tell
How mony stories past,
An' how they crowded to the yill, [ale]
When they were a' dismist;
How drink gaed round, in cogs an' caups, [wooden drinking vessels]
Amang the furms and benches;
An' cheese an' bread, frae women's laps,
Was dealt about in lunches, [full portions]
An' dawds that day. [lumps]

In comes a gawsie, gash guidwife, [jolly, sensible]
An' sits down by the fire,
Syne draws her kebbuck an' her knife; [Then, cheese]
The lasses they are shyer.
The auld guidmen, about the grace,
Frae side to side they bother,
Till some are by his bonnet lays,
An' gi'es them't like a tether, [rope]
Fu' lang that day.

Waesucks! for him that gets nae lass, [Alas!]
Or lasses that hae naething!
Sma' need has he to say a grace,
Or melvie his braw claithing! [make dusty]