Frae kings to him that hauds the plow,
Are all obligd to tarry woo.
Up ye sheperds dance and skip,
O'er the hills and vallies trip
Sing up the praise of tarry woo,
Sing the flocks that bear it too:
Harmless creatures without blame,
That clead the back and warm the wame,
Keep us warm and hearty fu';
Leeze me on my tarry woo.
Now happy is a sheperd's life!
Far frae courts and free of strife,
While the gimmers bleat and bae,
And the lambkins answer—Mae!
No such inusic to his ear!
Of thief and fox he has no fear;
Sturdy kent and colly too,
We'll defend the tarry woo.
He lives content and envies none,
Not ev'n a monarch on his throne,
Though he the royal sceptre sways,
Has not sweeter holy days.
Who'd be a king can ony tell,
When shepherd lives sae well;
Sings sae well and pays his due,
With honest heart and tarry woo
