Classic Poem

The Earl of Wigton had three daughters,
Oh and a waly, but they were unco bonnie!
The eldest of them had the far brawest house,
But she 's fallen in love with her footman-laddie.

As she was a walking doun by yon river-side,
Oh and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
There she espied her own footman,
With ribbons hanging over his shoulders sae bonnie.

" Here 's a letter to you, madame,
Here 's a letter to you, madame;
The Earl of Hume is waiting on,
And he has his service to you, madame."

" I 'll have none of his service," says she,
" I 'll have none of his service," says she,
" For I 've made a vow, and I 'll keep it true,
That I 'll marry none but you, Ritchie."

" O say not so again, madame,
O say not so again, madame;
For I have neither lands nor rents
For to keep you on, madam."

" I 'll live where eer you please, Ritchie,
I 'll live where eer you please, [Ritchie,]
And I 'll be ready at your ca',
Either late or early, Ritchie."

As they went in by Stirling toun,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
A' her silks were sailing on the ground,
But few of them knew of Ritchie Story.

As they went in by the Parliament Close,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
All the nobles took her by the hand,
But few of them knew she was Ritchie's lady.

As they came in by her goodmother's yetts,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
Her goodmother bade her kilt her coats,
And muck the byre with Ritchie Storie.

" Oh, may not ye be sorry, madame,
Oh, may not ye be sorry, madame,
To leave a' your lands at bonnie Cumbernaud,
And follow home your footman-laddie?"

" What need I be sorry?" says she,
" What need I be sorry?" says she,
" For I 've gotten my lot and my heart's desire,
And what Providence has ordered for me."