I loved her long, I loved her strong,
She loved me in return;
But she left one day, and went away,
My pretty Dilla Burn.
My heart grew sad, I could not work,
And master wondered why;
I told him how she left one day,
And never said good-bye.
’Twas then I learn’d from his dear lip
That Dilla had been sold;
And how we severed had to be,
For a petty sum of gold.
I loved her long, &c.
But after that, it was not long,
Poor Dilla’s owner died;
When master bought her, good and kind
And gave her as my bride.
And now we’re happy in our cot,
And master’s pleased to see
How two fond hearts, that fondly loved,
Though black, can happy be.
I loved her long, &c.
A Man’s a Man for a’ That.
Is there for honest poverty,
That hangs his head, and a’ that?
The coward slave we pass him by,
We dare be puir for a’ that.
For a’ that and a’ that,
Our toil’s obscure and a’ that,
The rank is but the guinea’s stamp,
The man’s the gowd for a’ that,
What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hodden gray and a’ that?
Gie fools their silks and knaves their wine,
A man’s a man for a’ that.
For a’ that and a’ that,
Their tinsel show and a’ that;
The honest man though e’er sae puir,
Is king o’ men for a’ that.
Then let us pray that come it may,
As come it will for a’ that;
That sense and worth o’er a’ the earth,
May bear the gree, and a’ that.
For a’ that and a’ that,
It’s coming yet, for a’ that;
That man to man the warld o’er,
Shall brithers be for a’ that.
William of the Ferry.
Near Clyde’s gay stream there lived a maid,
Whose mind was chaste and pure;
Content she lived in humble life,
Beloved by all who knew her;
Protected ’neath her parents’ roof,
Her time pass’d on quite merry;
She loved and was beloved again,
By William of the Ferry.
From morning’s dawn till set of sun,
Would William labor hard;
And then at evening’s glad return,
He gain’d a sweet reward.
With heart so light, unto her cot,
He tripp’d so light and merry;
All daily toils were soon forgot
By William of the Ferry.
With joy their parents gave consent,
And fix’d their bridal day:
Ere it arrived, the press-gang came,
And forced poor Will away!
He found resistance was in vain--
They dragg’d him from his wherry
“I ne’er shall see my love again!”
Cried William of the Ferry.
Loud blew the raging winds around,
When scarce a league from shore;
The boat upset--the ruffian crew
Soon sunk, to rise no more.
While William, fearless, braved the waves,
And safely reach’d his wherry:
Peace was proclaim’d--and Jane’s now blest
With William of the Ferry.
We’ll have a Little Dance, To-Night, Boys.
Oh, listen to this good old tune,
And then I’ll sing another,
Oh, Massa’s gone this afternoon,
To call upon his brother.
So darkies wait a little while,
Till he gets out ob sight,
We’ll drop the shovel and the hoe,
And have a little dance to-night.