O poortith cauld, and restless love,Ye wrack my peace between ye;Yet poortith a’ I could forgive,An ’twere na for my Jeanie.4
Chorus
O why should Fate sic pleasure have,Life’s dearest bands untwining?Or why sae sweet a flower as loveDepend on Fortune’s shining?8The warld’s wealth, when I think on,It’s pride and a’ the lave o’t;O fie on silly coward man,That he should be the slave o’t!12
Chorus
O why should Fate sic pleasure have,Life’s dearest bands untwining?Or why sae sweet a flower as loveDepend on Fortune’s shining?16Her e’en, sae bonie blue, betrayHow she repays my passion;But prudence is her o’erword aye,She talks o’ rank and fashion.20
Chorus
O why should Fate sic pleasure have,Life’s dearest bands untwining?Or why sae sweet a flower as loveDepend on Fortune’s shining?24O wha can prudence think upon,And sic a lassie by him?O wha can prudence think upon,And sae in love as I am?28
Chorus
O why should Fate sic pleasure have,Life’s dearest bands untwining?Or why sae sweet a flower as loveDepend on Fortune’s shining?32How blest the simple cotter’s fate!He woos his artless dearie;The silly bogles, wealth and state,Can never make him eerie,36
Chorus
O why should Fate sic pleasure have,Life’s dearest bands untwining?Or why sae sweet a flower as loveDepend on Fortune’s shining?40