What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man

written in 1792

What can a young lassie, what shall a young lassie, What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man? Bad luck on the pennie, that tempted my Minnie To sell her poor Jenny for siller and lan'! He's always compleenin frae morning to e'enin, He hosts and he hirpls the weary day lang: He's doyl't and he's dozin, his blude it is frozen. O, dreary's the night wi' a crazy auld man! He hums and he hankers, he frets and he cankers, I never can please him do a' that I can; He's peevish, and jealous of a' the young fellows, O, dool on the day I met wi' an auld man! My auld auntie Katie upon me taks pity, I'll do my endeavour to follow her plan; I'll cross him, and wrack him until I heartbreak him, And then his auld brass will buy me a new pan.