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The Ranting Dog

Words by Robbie Burns.
Written to a young woman in trouble - and guess who had gotten her into trouble.
Tune: Whare Wad Bonnie Annie.


    O wha my babie-clouts will buy,
    Wha will tent me when I cry,
    Wha will kiss me where I lie ?
    The rantin' dog, the daddie o't.
    Wha will own he did the faut,
    Wha will buy the groanin' maut,
    Wha will tell me how to ca't ?
    The rantin' dog, the daddie o't.

    When I mount the creepie-chair,
    Wha will sit beside me there ?
    Gie me Rob, I'll seek nae mair,
    The rantin' dog, the daddie o't.
    Wha will crack to me my lane,
    Wha will make me fidgin fain,
    Wha will kiss me o'er again ?
    The rantin' dog, the daddie o't.


    Glossary:
         babie-clouts:        baby clothes
         tent:                tend, care for
         faut:                fault
         groaning maut:       ale for the midwife and friends
         fidgin fain:         randy
         creepie-chair        repenting stool in the kirk
         crack:               talk
         my lane:             alone

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