Four Popular Songs (2)/The Toom Meal Pock

by Anonymous

The Toom Meal Pock.

Preserve us a what shall we do
 thir dark noballow d times?
We're surely dreeing penance now,
 for sone most awfu' crimes
Sedition daurna now appear,
 in reality or joke.
But i ka chiel maun mourn wi' me,
 o' a hinging toom meal pock.
And sing Oh waes me.

When lasses braw gade out at e'en
 for sport and pasttime free,
I seemed like ane in paradise.
 the moments quick did flee;
Like Venuses they a' appeared,
 weel pouthered was their locks,
'Twas easy dune when at their hame,
wi' the shaking o' their pocks.
And sing Oh waes me

How happy past my former days,
 wi merry heartsome g'ee.
When smiling fortune held the cup,
 and peace sat on my knee
Nae wants had I but were supplied
 my heart wi joy did knock,
When in the neuk I smiling saw
 a gaucie weel fill'd pock.
And sing, Oh, waes me

Speak no ae word about reform,
 nor petition Parliament,
A wiser scheme I'll now propone,
 I'm sure you'll gie consent—
Send up a chiel or twa like me
 as a sample o' the flock,
Whas hollow cheeks will be sure proof
 o' a hinging toom meal pock.
And sing Oh waes me

And shou'd a sicht sae ghastly like
 wi rags end banes and skin,
Hae nae impression on you folks
 but tell ye'll stand abin
O what a contrast will ye shaw,
 to the glowerin Lunnun folk,
When in St. James' ye tak your stand,
 wi' a hinging loom meal pock.
And sing Oh waes me,

Then rear your hand and glower and stare,
 before you hills o' beef
Tell them ye are frae Scotland come,
 for Scotia's relief;
Tell them ye are the vera best
 wal'd frae the fattest flock,
Then raise our arms and oh display
 a hinging toom meal pock.
And sing Oh waes me!

Tell them ye're wearied o' the chain
 that hauds the state thegither
For Scotland wishes just to tak
 gude night wi ane anither
We canna tho'e—we canna bide,
 this hard unwieldy yoke,
For wark and want but ill agree,
 wi a hinging toom meal pock.
And sing Oh waes me!