The Monymusk Lads

The Monymusk Lads - Ewan MacColl/Peggy Seeger

As I cam' in by Monymustk

And doon by Alford's dale

A sad misfortune happened to me

And I think nae shame to tell

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

As I gaed in by Monymustk

The moon was shining clear;

And I held on to Lethendy

To see my Maggie dear

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

I did gang when I did think

That a' were sleepin' soun'

But plague upon yon auld wife

For she cam' slinkin' doon

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

Sae cannily she slipped the lock

And set the door agee;

Then crawled upon her hands and knees

To see what it could be

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

Then to the bells wi' a' her micht

Sae loud she made thern ring

Till faith I thoeht aboot my lugs

The biggin she would bring

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

And when she saw I wouldn't need slip

She ran to the guidman

Says There's a lad into the hoose

And that I winna stand

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

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

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

Providence has acted wrang

Sic pleasures for to gie

Tae ony servant lad or lass

Just working for a fee

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

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

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

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

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe

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

Fal to too a riddle doo

Fal to toodle I doe