Wha wadna be in love
Wi' bonie Maggy Lauder?
A piper met her gaun to Fife,
And spier'd what was't they ca'd her?
Right scornfully she answer'd him,
"Begone, you hallanshaker;
"Jogg on your gate, you bladderskate,
"My name is Maggy Lauder."
 
"Maggy," quo' he, "and by my bags,
"I'm fidging fain to see thee;
"Sit down by me, my bonie bird,
"In troth I winna steer thee:
"For I'm a piper to my trade,
"My name is Rob the Ranter;
"The lasses loup as they were daft
"When I blaw up my chanter."
 
"Piper," quo' Meg, "ha'e ye your bags,
"Or is your drone in order?
"If you be Rob, I've heard of you;
"Live you upo' the border?
"The lasses a', baith far and near
"Have heard of Rob the Ranter;
"I'll shake my foot wi' right good-will,
"Gif you'll blaw up your chanter."
 
Then to his bags he flew with speed,
About the drone he twisted;
Meg up, and wallop'd o'er the green,
For brawly could she frisk it.
"Weel done," quo' he "Play up," quo' she:
"Weel bobb'd," quo' Rob the Ranter;
"It's worth my while to play indeed,
"When I ha'e sic a dancer."
 
"Weel ha'e you play'd your part," quo' Meg,
"Your cheeks are like the crimson;
"There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel,
"Since we lost Habby Simson.
"I've liv'd in Fife, baith maid and wife,
"These ten years and a quarter;
"Gin you should come to Anst'er fair,
"Spier ye for Maggy Lauder."