Preserve us a'! what shall we do, Thir dark, unhallow'd times; We 're surely dreeing penance now, For some most awfu' crimes. Sedition daurna now appear, In reality or joke; For ilka chiel maun mourn wi' me, O' a hinging, toom meal pock, And sing, Oh waes me!
When lasses braw gaed out at e'en, For sport and pastime free; I seem'd like ane in paradise, The moments quick did flee. Like Venuses they all appear'd, Weel pouther'd were their locks; 'Twas easy dune, when at their hame, Wi' the shaking o' their pocks. And sing, Oh waes me!
How happy pass'd my former days, Wi' merry heartsome glee; 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 propose, I 'm sure ye 'll gi'e consent: Send up a chiel or twa like me, As a sample o' the flock, Whose hollow cheeks will be sure proof O' a hinging, toom meal pock. And sing, Oh waes me!
And should a sicht sae ghastly-like, Wi' rags, and banes, and skin, Hae nae impression on yon folks, But tell ye 'll stand ahin'; O what a contrast will ye shaw, To the glowrin' Lunnun folk, When in St James' ye tak' your stand, Wi' a hinging, toom meal pock. And sing, Oh waes me!
Then rear your head, and glowr, and stare, Before yon hills o' beef; Tell them ye are frae Scotland come, For Scotia's relief. Tell them ye are the vera best, Waled frae the fattest flock; Then raise your arms, and oh! display A hinging, toom meal pock. And sing, Oh waes me!