Henry's Songbook

Oh the glass is no' for you, bonnie laddie O
The glass is no' for you, bonnie laddie O
The glass is no' for you
For it dyes your manly brow
And it fills you roarin' fu', bonnie laddie O

Then drive us not away wi' your drinkin' O
We like your presence mair than you're thinkin' O
How happy will you be
In our blithesome companye
Taking innocence and glee for your drinking O

Now your e'en are glancing bright, bonnie laddie O
Wi' a pure and joyful light, bonnie laddie O
But at ten o'clock at night
Tak' a lady's word in plight
We will see anither sight, bonnie laddie O

There's a right path and a wrong, bonnie laddie O
Oh you needna argue lang, bonnie laddie O
For the mair you taste and see
O' our harmless companye
Aye the happier you'll be, bonnie laddie O

(as sung by The McCalmans)

Tune: The Shearin's No For You

[1970:] Born in Ettrick Forest, [James Hogg (1770-1835)] spent his early days as a shepherd, but he was discovered by Scott while collecting material for his 'Border Minstrelsy', and taken under that ample wing. He had almost no formal education, [...] but he soon became famous among the famous of his time - helped by his magnificent personality. He farmed most of his life and left a variety of notable works [...]. (Penguin Book of Scottish Verse 15f)