The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. / With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham, Volume 2 Papyras Classics

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Chapter 245

CLXXII. Here’s His Health in Water

Tune—“The job of journey-work.”

[Burns took the hint of this song from an older and less decorous strain, and wrote these words, it has been said, in humorous allusion to the condition in which Jean Armour found herself before marriage; as if Burns could be capable of anything so insulting. The words are in the Museum.]

Altho’ my back be at the wa’,
An’ tho’ he be the fautor;
Altho’ my back be at the wa’,
Yet here’s his health in water!
O! wae gae by his wanton sides,
Sae brawlie he could flatter;
Till for his sake I’m slighted sair,
And dree the kintra clatter.
But tho’ my back be at the wa’,
And tho’ he be the fautor;
But tho’ my back be at the wa’,
Yet here’s his health in water!