[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...

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THE AULD MAN S CROON.
To sustain us when poverty gi'es us a fling."
Says she, quo' she, as she chink 'fc at my lug.
Fifteen yellow Geordies tied up in a rag ;
" I keepit tliae frae ye, your luve for to try
:"
" Try't as aften's ye like " —says I, quo' I.
The author of this song is Mr John Moore, Editor of the Ayrshire and
Renfrewshire Agriculturist. It was composed by way of trying what
could be made in rhyme of the once very common expression of " Says I,
quo' I," which a worthy in the neighbourhood where he then resided was
in the habit of appending to every sentence. That Mr Moore accomplished
his task in a truly poetic manner must be universally admitted.
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O ! sair is my heart an' the tear dims my e'e,
Sin' Heaven has ordeen'd my auld wifie should dee, \
The enjoyments o' life nae mair pleasui'e can gie;
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I'm lanely noo—O ! I'm lanely noo.
Weel, weel I remember my joy an' my pride, \
When I canter'd her hame to my ain ingle side, \
The kintra could boast nae a winsomer bride ;
But I'm lanely noo—O ! I'm lanely noo.
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An' aft has it gladden'd my bosom to see
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Her thrang at her thrift, an' as busy's a bee.
But still her e'e beaming wi' kindness on me ;
But I'm lanely noo—O ! I'm lanely noo.
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An' then, O sae kin'ly 's she cuiter'd the weans
To keep them a' tidy spared nae toil or pains :
But memory's treasure is a' that remains ;
I'm lanely noo—O ! I'm lanely noo.