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

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" SCOFFING BALLAD."
This, as it may, I canna tell
Glencairn, he kens it best himsel'
Plis reason thus, the kirk to fill,
Good people, hear my ditty.
For, through the windows, stanes did reel
Till Halket* said it was the deil.
And of his brethi'en took fareweel,
Good people, hear my ditty.
Mr Brown t was praying, 's 1 suppose,
Ane came sae very near his nose
The day's sae dark we maun it close.
Good people, hear my ditty.
Tailor Steven, precentor there.
Got his wig pu'd out hair by hair,
Until they made his headpiece bare.
Good people, hear my ditty.
John Wyllie, wha liv'd in New Street,
It seems was that day scant o' meat.
He cam to click his dinner, sweet.
Good people, hear my ditty.
Bailie Bapps, he got a prog.
Out o'er the head wi' Lambert'sJ dog,
Which laid him senseless as a log.
Good people, hear my ditty.
Though meek and gentle Lindsay§ was,
And had at heart the gude auld cause,
Yet nought could mak' the rabble pause.
Good people, hear my ditty.
* The Rev. Mr Halket of Fenwick, who went home on horseback at full
speed.
t The Rev. Mr Brown, Kilbh-nie.
X Lambert, gardener to Mr Paterson, town-clerk.
i The Rev. Mr Lindsay.