The Deil's Awa Wi' the Exciseman by Robert Burns
The deil cam fiddlin through the toun an danced awa wi the exciseman, while ilka wife wished him luck wi his prize. The singers say they'll mak maut, brew drink an rejoice, an ca this the best dance that ever cam to the land.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Ballad, Satirical Poetry · 221 words
First lines
The deil cam fiddlin' thro' the town, / And danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman, / And ilka wife cries, "Auld Mahoun, / I wish you luck o' the prize, man."
Chorus-The deil's awa, the deil's awa, / The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman, / He's danc'd awa, he's danc'd awa, / He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman.
We'll mak our maut, and we'll brew our drink, / We'll laugh, sing, and rejoice, man, / And mony braw thanks to the meikle black deil, / That danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman. / The deil's awa, &c.
There's threesome reels, there's foursome reels, / There's hornpipes and strathspeys, man, / But the ae best dance ere came to the land / Was-the deil's awa wi' the Exciseman. / The deil's awa, &c.
Genres
- Ballad — Rhymed stanzas an a repeated chorus tell hoo the deil danced awa wi the exciseman.
- Satirical Poetry — The wives wish the deil luck wi his prize, an the singers thank him for takin the exciseman awa.
Tags
excisemen · brewin · fiddlin · dancin · deils
What this Textopian page supports
The Deil's Awa Wi' the Exciseman is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: Date unknown
- Genres: Ballad, Satirical Poetry
- Length: 221 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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