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The Laird in this song is a comical character, as he
is puffed up with pride. This song was written by Lady Nairne and she pokes fun
at the Laird (Lord), who is all dressed up to go courting and is amazed when
the object of his affections turns down his offer of marriage. The melody is an
old air "When she cam' ben, she bobbed"
The Laird o' Cockpen, he's prood and he's great,
His mind is
tae'n up wi' the things o' the state,
He wanted a wife, his braw hoose tae
keep,
But favour wi' wooin' was fashious tae seek.
Doon by the
dykeside a lady did dwell,
At his table heid, he thocht she'd look
well;
Macleish's ae daughter, o' Clavers-ha' Lea,
A penniless lass, wi'
a lang pedigree.
His wig was weel pouther'd, as guid as when new,
His waistcoat was white, his coat it was blue;
He put on a ring, a sword,
an' sword and cock'd hat,
An' wha' could refuse the laird wi' a' that?
He took the gray mare and he rade cannilie
An' he rapp'd at the yett
o' Clavers ha' Lea;
"Gae tell mistress Jean to come speedily ben,
She's
wanted tae speak wi the Laird o, Cockpen."
Mistress Jean she was
makin' the elderfloor wine
"And what brings the Laird at sic a like
time?"
She aff wi' her apron an' on her silk goun,
Her mutch wi' red
ribbons and gaed awa' doon.
An' when she cam' ben he bobbit foo
low'
An' what was his errand he soon let her know;
Amaz'd was the
laird, when the lady said "Na!"
An' wi' a laigh curtsey she turned
awa'.
Dumfooner'd was he, but nae sigh did he gi'e,
He mounted his
mare and he rade cannilie;
An' aften he thought as he gaed through the
glen,
"She's daft tae refuse the Laird o' Cockpen!
laird - lord
prood - proud
braw -
beautiful
fashious - annoying
dyke - wall
table heid - head of his
table
thocht - thought
pouthered - powdered
canniliie -
carefully
rapped - knocked
yett - gate
ben - through the house
mutch - bonnet
bobbit - bowed
dumfooner'd - bewildered
daft -
stupid
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