When I was new, but sweet sixteen And beauty all in blooming oh Its little, little I did think that at nineteen I'd be greiving oh, For the ploughman lads they're gay wee lads They are false and deceiving oh They'll pack their kist And they'll sign and list And they'll leave their lasses grieving oh. For they have putten me from loping styles From balls and from singing oh They have given me the balance to my 'seys* And they says its in the fashion oh. For if I had known what I now know And taken my mother's biding oh I would not be sitting here at your fireside Crying hushebar my bairns oh For it's hushebar for I'm your ma And Lord knows where your daddy goes You all be ware and you all take care Of the young men and the gloaming oh.
* as in courtsey