The Book of Scottish Song/The Cardin' o't

2269456The Book of Scottish Song — The Cardin' o't1843Alexander Whitelaw

The Cardin’ o’t.

[Written by Burns after an old song, a tune called "Salt Fish and Dumplings." "Haslock woo'" is the wool shorn from the throats of sheep, and is the finest of the fleece.]

I coft a stane o' haslock woo',
To make a coat to Johnny o't;
For Johnny is my only jo,
I lo'e him best of ony yet.
The cardin' o't, the spinnin' o't,
The warpin' o't, the winnin' o't;
When ilka ell cost me a groat,
The tailor staw the lynin' o't.

For though his locks be lyart grey,
And though his brow be held aboon;
Yet I ha'e seen him on a day
The pride of a' the parishen.
The cardin' o't, the spinnin' o't,
The warpin' o't, the winnin' o't;
When ilka ell cost me a groat,
The tailor staw the lynin' o't.