[Then]
Air
TUNE: Auld Sir Symon
Sir Wisdom's a fool when he's fou, [drunk]
Sir Knave is a fool in a session; [court]
He's there but a 'prentice I trow,
But I am a fool by profession.
My grannie she bought me a beuk, [book]
And I held awa to the school; [went off]
I fear I my talent misteuk,
But what will ye hae of a fool? [have]
For drink I would venture my neck;
A hizzie's the half o' my craft; [wench]
But what could ye other expect,
Of ane that's avowedly daft? [crazy]
I ance was tied up like a stirk, [bullock]
For civilly swearing and quaffing;
I ance was abused i' the kirk, [rebuked]
For touzling a lass i' my daffin. [rumpling, fun]
Poor Andrew that tumbles for sport,
Let naebody name wi' a jeer;
There's even, I'm tauld, i' the Court,
A tumbler ca'd the Premier.
Observ'd ye yon reverend lad
Maks faces to tickle the mob?
He rails at our mountebank squad--
It's rivalship just i' the job!
And now my conclusion I'll tell,
For faith! I'm confoundedly dry;
The chiel that's a fool for himsel', [fellow]
Gude Lord! he's far dafter than I.
Recitativo
Then niest outspak a raucle carlin, [next, rough beldam]
Wha kent fu' weel to cleek the sterling.
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