Musa Burschicosa :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Quaker's wife was brisk and gay,
And like her were na' ony,
But now she wears the mantle grey,
And thinks na' on her Johnnie.
Aye when we met we used to be
As blithe as lark or sparrow;
But, wae's my heart, she's cheated me
To be the Quaker's marrow.

The Quaker he had 'neugh o' gear,
'Twas this that caught her fancy,
And now she is the Quaker's dear,
Wha was my lovely Nancy.

The Quaker's wife, whene'er I see,
It stings my heart wi' sorrow,
It gars the tears rin frae my e'e,
Like waters in a furrow!

The Quaker's wife, whene'er I see,
I curse the fate mischancy,
A house and ha' that envied me,
To furnish with my Nancy.
'Tis lack o' cash that ruins kings,
And clips the poet's fancy;
For lack o' cash I droop my wings,
And sigh in vain for Nancy.

The de'il confound his wooden face,
Wha stole frae me my Nancy!
That such a lass o' lightsome grace
Should touch his wooden fancy!
Wi' purple robe a beggar loon,
A turnip wi' a pansy,
An ass that's shod wi' silken shoon,
Is he wi' lovely Nancy.

Of all the solemn prigs that go,
I chiefly hate the Quakers,
They're like a lump o' tasteless dough
That ne'er went to the baker's:

The strangest thing that earth contains
Is this, that one so stupid
Should lodge within his sluggish veins
So brisk an imp as Cupid!

The Quaker's wife I'll ne'er forget,
While I can aught remember;
For I ne'er lo'ed anither yet.
Sin' the first day I kenn'd her.
O gin the Quaker he would dee,
And liberty restore her,
My ain the Quaker's wife should be,
For, oh! I do adore her!

The words of this excellent song, as given in verses first, second, and sixth, were sung in admirable style by my father, and I never heard them sung by any other body. The third, fourth, and fifth verses were added by myself.