the fete champetre
tune—“killiekie.”
o wha will to saint stephen's house,
to do our errands there, man?
o wha will to saint stephen's house
o' th' merry ds of ayr, man?
or will we send a man o' w?
or will we send a sodger?
or him wha led o'er sd a'
the meikle ursa-major?
e, will ye court a noble lord,
or buy a score o'irds, man?
for worth and honour pawn their word,
their vote shall be glencaird's, man.
ane gies them , ane gies them wine,
anither gies them ctter:
annbank, wha guessed the dies' taste,
he gies a fete champetre.
when love ay heard the news,
the gay green woods amang, man;
where, gathering flowers, and busking bowers,
they heard the bckbird's sang, man:
a vow, they sealed it with a kiss,
sir politics to fetter;
as their's alohe patent bliss,
to hold a fete champetre.
then mounted mirth, on gleesome wing
o'er hill and dale she flew, man;
ilk wimpling burn, ilk crystal spring,
ilk glen and shaw she knew, man:
she summon'd every social sprite,
that sports by wood or water,
on th' bonie banks of ayr to meet,
ahis fete champetre.
cauld boreas, wi' his boisterous crew,
were bound to stakes like kye, man,
and thia's car, o' silver fu',
cmb up the starry sky, man:
reflected beams dwell ireams,
or down the current shatter;
the western breeze steals thro'the trees,
to view this fete champetre.
how many a robe sae gaily floats!
arkling jewels gnce, man!
to harmony's enting notes,
as moves the mazy dance, man.
the eg wood, the winding flood,
like paradise did glitter,
when angels met, at adam's yett,
to hold their fete champetre.
when politics came there, to mix
and make his ether-stane, man!
he circled round the magic ground,
but entrance found he nane, man:
he blush'd for shame, he quat his name,
forswore it, every letter,
wi' humble prayer to join and share
this festive fete champetre.