Tam Glen

My heart is a-breaking, dear Tittie,
         Some counsel unto me come len';
To anger them a' is a pity,
         But what will I do wi' Tam Glen?

I'm thinking, wi' sic a braw fellow,
         In poortith I might mak a fen':
What care I in riches to wallow,
         If I mauna marry Tam Glen?

There's Lowrie, the laird o' Dumeller,
         "Guid-day to you,"—brute! he comes ben:
He brags and he blaws o' his siller,
         But when will he dance like Tam Glen?

My minnie does constantly deave me,
         And bids me beware o' young men;
They flatter, she says, to deceive me;
         But wha can think sae o' Tam Glen?

My daddie says, gin I'll forsake him,
         He'll gie me guid hunder marks ten:
But, if it's ordain'd I maun take him,
         O wha will I get but Tam Glen?

Yestreen at the valentines' dealing,
         My heart to my mou gied a sten:
For thrice I drew ane without failing,
         And thrice it was written, "Tam Glen"!

The last Halloween I was waukin
         My droukit sark-sleeve, as ye ken:
His likeness cam up the house staukin,
         And the very gray breeks o' Tam Glen!

Come counsel, dear Tittie, don't tarry;
         I'll gie ye my bonie black hen,
Gif ye will advise me to marry
         The lad I lo'e dearly, Tam Glen.