Poem by Hector Macneill

Mally Aiken, An Old Song Revived

'O Listen! listen and I'll tell ye
How this fair maid's play'd her part :--
First she vow'd and promis'd to me,
Now she strives to break my heart!'
    Eirin O! Mally Aiken,
    Eirin O s'dhu me roon.

I coft you silken garters, Mally,
And sleeve-knots for your tartan gown;
I coft you a green necklace, Mally,
To busk you whan you gade to town:
You gae me kisses sweet as hinny!
You gae me words mair sweet than true;
You swore you loo'd me best o' ony;
--- Ah! why than Mally break your vow!
    Eirin O! Mally Aiken,
    Eirin O s'dhu ma roon.

Yon auld man came wi' wyles sae bonie,
He bragg'd o' land and walth o' gear;
He promis'd braws mair fine than Johnie
To busk ye for the kick and fair;
He gae up tocher to your daddy;--
Your mither sigh'd and thought o' me;
But Mally wish'd to be a lady,
And chang'd true luve for -- high degree!
    Eirin O! Mally Aiken,
    Eirin O s'dhu ma roon.

He's ta'en you hame; he's made you gawdie,
He's busked you for the kirk and fair;
But you had better ta'en your laddie,
For happiness you'll ne'er see mair!
You may gang to kirk and fair, my Mally;
Your face and braws catch ilka ee,--
But happiness you'll ne'er see, Mally,
For breaking o' your vows to me!
    Eirin O! Mally Aiken,
    Eirin O s'dhu ma roon.

1. On Admiral Lord Nelson's Sending in the Hour of Victory, a Flag of Truce to Stop the Further Effusion
2. Come under My Plaidie; Or, Modern Marriage Delineated
3. On the Death of Lieut. Gen. Sir Ralph Abercromby. Killed at the Battle of Alexandria, in Egypt, Marc
4. Donald and Flora
5. Tak Tent and Be Wary

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