Ustae

Ah ustae hae a wife an’ weans

A gran’ hoose tae tove aboot

But a throw’d them up for tha Toni wine

Noo, sure am doon an oot.

Ah ustae hae a shut sae gran’

A tap coat lake tha rest,

Amang cast-affs Ah noo dae hoke

For claes lang by their best.

Ah ustae hae a job o’ work

Tae tire baith lim an’ min’,

But noo its joost tha aul’ blow-hard

An’ Rid Biddy taks mae time.

Ah ustae gang tae tha Kirk ye ken,

But a doot it wudnae dae,

Tae wanner intae God’s ain hoose,

For ye need money noo tae pray.

Ah ustae hae a bit o’ crack

Whun tha wine wus flowin’ free,

But noo tha fun is a’ awa’

An’ its takin’ tha life frae me.

Ah ustae hae sae mony freens

That laked tae ca’ wae me

But maistly noo Ah’m a’ mae lane

Naw a sowl dae Ah ivir see.

Ah ustae lach aboot tha drink

An ca’ it tha water o’ life,

But a’ it brocht tae this puir wretch

Wus misery, woe, and strife.

Ah ustae think Ahl cud gie it up

An gang hame tae them Ah love,

But in mae battle wae tha booze

Sure tha winner’s aye this stuff.

Sae let this bae yer warnin’

As ye turn up yer neb at me

Trate this stuff wae caution,

Whun ye ir yit still — free.