Silly Wizard – Monymusk Lads lyrics

As l cam' in by Monymustk
And doon by Alford's dale,
A sad misfortune happened to me
And l think nae shame to tell.

Cho: Fal to too a riddle doo.
Fal to toodle I doe.

As l gaed in by Monymustk.
The moon was shining clear;
And I held on to Lethendy
To see my Maggie dear.

I did gang when I did think
That a' were sleepin' soun',
But plague upon yon auld wife
For she cam' slinkin' doon.

Sae cannily she slipped the lock
And set the door agee;
Then crawled upon her hands and knees
To see what it could be.

Then to the bells, wi' a' her micht
Sae loud she made thern ring.
Till faith! L thoeht aboot my lugs
The biggin she would bring.

And when she saw l wouldna slip.
She ran to the guidman.
Says: "There's a lad into the hoose.
And that l winna stand.

"For it is a most disgraceful thing.
It would provoke a saunt.
To see a' the servant girls wi' lads.
When the gentle anes maun want. "

"Providence has acted wrang.
Sic pleasures for to gie
Tae ony servant lad or lass
Just working for a fee. "

The auld man he cam' ben himsel'
And he pushed ben his heid;
Guidfaith! I thocht it was a ghost
Just risen frae the deid.

He'd duddy draws upon his legs,
He'd on a cap o' white.
And he'd a face as lang's my leg
And in his hand a light.

He's ta'en me by the shoulders broad
An' pushed me oot o' doors.
Thinks I, my auld lad, I'll come back
When sleepin' gars ye snore.