Yet let my country need me, with Elliot to head me,
I'd clatter on my stamps at the sound of a drum.

And now, tho' I must beg, with a wooden arm and leg,
And many a tattered rag hanging over my bum,
I'm as happy with my wallet, my bottle, and my callet, [trull]
As when I used in scarlet to follow a drum.

What tho' with hoary locks I must stand the winter shocks,
Beneath the woods and rocks oftentimes for a home?
When the t'other bag I sell, and the t'other bottle tell,
I could meet a troop of hell at the sound of the drum.

Recitativo

He ended; and the kebars sheuk [rafters shook]
Aboon the chorus roar; [Above]
While frighted rattons backward leuk, [rats, look]
An' seek the benmost bore. [inmost hole]
A fairy fiddler frae the neuk, [nook]
He skirled out _Encore!_ [shrieked]
But up arose the martial chuck, [darling]
And laid the loud uproar.

Air

TUNE: Sodger Laddie

I once was a maid, tho' I cannot tell when,
And still my delight is in proper young men;