On A Scotch Bard, Gone To The West Indie

    on a scotch bard, gone to the west indies
    a' ye wha live by sowps o' drink,
    a' ye wha live by crambo-clink,
    a' ye wha live and never think,
    come, mourn wi' me!
    our billie 's gien us a' a jink,
    an' owre the sea!
    lament him a' ye rantin core,
    wha dearly like a random splore;
    nae mair he'll join the merry roar;
    in social key;
    for now he's taen anither shore.
    an' owre the sea!
    the bonie lasses weel may wiss him,
    and in their dear petitions place him:
    the widows, wives, an' a' may bless him
    wi' tearfu' e'e;
    for weel i wat they'll sairly miss him
    that's owre the sea!
    o fortune, they hae room to grumble!
    hadst thou taen aff some drowsy bummle,
    wha can do nought but fyke an' fumble,
    'twad been nae plea;
    but he was gleg as ony wumble,
    that's owre the sea!
    auld, cantie kyle may weepers wear,
    an' stain them wi' the saut, saut tear;
    'twill mak her poor auld heart, i fear,
    in flinders flee:
    he was her laureat mony a year,
    that's owre the sea!
    he saw misfortune's cauld nor-west
    lang mustering up a bitter blast;
    a jillet brak his heart at last,
    ill may she be!
    so, took a berth afore the mast,
    an' owre the sea.
    to tremble under fortune's cummock,
    on a scarce a bellyfu' o' drummock,
    wi' his proud, independent stomach,
    could ill agree;
    so, row't his hurdies in a hammock,
    an' owre the sea.
    he ne'er was gien to great misguidin,
    yet coin his pouches wad na bide in;
    wi' him it ne'er was under hiding;
    he dealt it free:
    the muse was a' that he took pride in,
    that's owre the sea.
    jamaica bodies, use him weel,
    an' hap him in cozie biel:
    ye'll find him aye a dainty chiel,
    an' fou o' glee:
    he wad na wrang'd the vera deil,
    that's owre the sea.
    farewell, my rhyme-composing billie!
    your native soil was right ill-willie;
    but may ye flourish like a lily,
    now bonilie!
    i'll toast you in my hindmost gillie,
    tho' owre the sea!