Ewan MacColl
Maggie Lauder
Wha' wad-na be in love wi bonnie Maggie Lauder?
A piper met her gaun to Fife
And spier'd what was't they ca'd her
Richt scornfully she answered him
“Begone, you hallanshaker!
Jog on your gate, you bladderskate!
My name is Maggie Lauder!"
Maggie! quoth he; and, by my bags
I'm fidgin' fain to see thee!
Sit down by me, my bonnie bird
In troth I winna steer thee;
For I'ma piper to my trade;
My name is Rab the Ranter:
The lasses loup as they were daft
When I blaw up my chanter
Piper quo' Meg, haе ye your bags
Or is your drone in order?
If yе be Rab, I've heard o' you;
Live ye upon the border?
The lasses a', baith far and near
Have heard o' Rab the Ranter;
I'll shake my foot wi' richt guid will
Gif ye'll blew up your chanter
Then to his bags he flew wi' speed;
About the drone he twisted;
Meg up and walloped ower the green
For brawly could she frisk it!
Weel done! quo' he. Play on! quo' she
Weel bobb'd! quo' Rab the Ranter;
It's worth my while to play indeed
When I hae sic a dancer!
Weel hae ye play'd your part! quo' Meg;
Your cheeks are like the crimson!
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel
Sin' we lost Habbie Simpson
I've lived in Fife, baith maid and wife
This ten years and a quarter;
Gin ye should come to Anster Fair
Spier ye for Maggie Lauder