had i the wyte? she bade me
had i the wyte, had i the wyte,
had i the wyte? she bade me;
she watch'd me by the hie-gate side,
and up the loan she shaw'd me.
and when i wadna venture in,
a coward loon she ca'd me:
had kirk an' state been in the gate,
i'd lighted when she bade me.
sae craftilie she took me ben,
and bade me mak nae clatter;
“for our ramgunshoch, glum gudeman
is o'er ayont the water.”
whae'er shall say i wanted grace,
when i did kiss and dawte her,
let him be planted in my place,
syne say, i was the fautor.