Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

297 . Election Ballad for Westerha’

THE LADDIES by the banks o’ Nith

Wad trust his Grace wi a’, Jamie;

But he’ll sair them, as he sair’d the King—

Turn tail and rin awa’, Jamie.

Chorus.—Up and waur them a’, Jamie,

Up and waur them a’;

The Johnstones hae the guidin o’t,

Ye turncoat Whigs, awa’!

The day he stude his country’s friend,

Or gied her faes a claw, Jamie,

Or frae puir man a blessin wan,

That day the Duke ne’er saw, Jamie.

Up and waur them, &c.

But wha is he, his country’s boast?

Like him there is na twa, Jamie;

There’s no a callent tents the kye,

But kens o’ Westerha’, Jamie.

Up and waur them, &c.

To end the wark, here’s Whistlebirk,

Lang may his whistle blaw, Jamie;

And Maxwell true, o’ sterling blue;

And we’ll be Johnstones a’, Jamie.

Up and waur them, &c.