Explore "The Auld Carle" by David Rorie on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
/ The auld man had a girnin' wife, / An' she was aye compleenin', / For a' kin' o' orra things / The body aye was greenin'. / It's "I'll try this," and "I'll try that," / At ilka adverteesement, / She flang his siller richt an' left / An' niver got nae easement.
The carle he led sic a life, / The haill thing was a scunner, / Sae ae braw day his birse was up, / He fairly roondit on her. / "Ye're aye gaun to dee, gude-wife- / Fowre nichts I hinna sleepit, / Gin it's to be, I wush to peace / Ye'd set a day an' keep it!"
Wow! noo there was a tirravee! / An angry wife was she, than! / "An' is it no' my ain affair / The day I'm gaun to dee, than! / Aha! ye think ye'll tryst the wricht / An' rid him o' his timmer? / Syne haud anither waddin' wi' / Some feckless, thowless limmer!"
Awyte, but noo she's fu' o' life / She's ta'en anither tack o't! / An' aye that she flees oot on him / His words is at the back o't! / Sae keep your tongue atween your teeth / When ettlin' to be cliver, / Ense ye'll be like the auld carle / An' en' waur aff than iver!