The English and Scottish Popular Ballads :: :: University of Virginia Library

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

Part I.

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

106

The Cooper of Fife

THE WIFE WRAPT IN WETHER'S SKIN—C

[_]

Whitelaw's Book of Scottish Song, p. 333.

1

There was a wee cooper who lived in Fife,
Nickity, nackity, noo, noo, noo
And he has gotten a gentle wife.
Hey Willie Wallacky, how John Dougall,
Alane, quo Rushety, roue, roue, roue

2

She wadna bake, nor she wadna brew,
For the spoiling o her comely hue.

3

She wadna card, nor she wadna spin,
For the shaming o her gentle kin.

4

She wadna wash, nor she wadna wring,
For the spoiling o her gouden ring.

5

The cooper's awa to his woo-pack
And has laid a sheep-skin on his wife's back.

6

‘It's I'll no thrash ye, for your proud kin,
But I will thrash my ain sheep-skin.’

7

‘Oh, I will bake, and I will brew,
And never mair think on my comely hue.

8

‘Oh, I will card, and I will spin,
And never mair think on my gentle kin.

9

‘Oh, I will wash, and I will wring,
And never mair think on my gouden ring.’

10

A' ye wha hae gotten a gentle wife
Send ye for the wee cooper o Fife.