Whistle o’er the lave o’t.
[The popular tune called "Whistle o'er the lave o't" was composed about 1720, by John Bruce, a musician belonging to Dumfries. The old words are unfit for publication. The following was written by Burns for Johnson's Museum.]
First when Maggie was my care, Heaven, I thought, was in her air; Now we're married—speir nae mair; But whistle o'er the lave o't. Meg was meek and Meg was mild, Sweet and harmless as a child; Wiser men than me's beguiled; Sae, whistle o'er the lave o't. How we live, my Meg and me, How we love, and how we gree, I carena by how few may see; Sae, whistle o'er the lave o't. Wha I wish were maggots' meat, Dished up in her winding-sheet, I could write—but Meg maun see't; Sae, whistle o'er the lave o't.