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 maunna 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 came up the house stalkin’— And the very grey breeks o’ Tam Glen!

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