An early production of Burns, on an old model, written, it is supposed, when Jean Armour was "under a cloud." The first verse appears in most editions of Burns's works.
Altho' my back be at the wa', An' tho' he be the fautor;
Altho' my back be at the wa', I'll drink his health in water.
O wae gae by his wanton sides, Sae brawly's he could flatter.
Though for his sake I'm slighted sair, An' dree the kintra clatter;
But let them say whate'er they like, Yet, here's his health in water.
He followed me baith out and in, Thro' a' the nooks o' Killie;
He followed me baith out and in, Wi' a stiff stanin' pillie.
But when he gat atween my legs, We made an unco splutter;
An' haith, I trow, I soupled it, Tho' bauldly he did blatter;
But now my back is at the wa', Yet here's his health in water.
