Lyrics
For they're awfie lads, the bothy lads
When they get fit they're seekin'
They'll pack a kist and they'll gang an' enlist
And leave their lassies greetin'
Oh when I was noo but sweet sixteen
Wi' beauty just a-bloomin'
Little, little did I think
At nineteen I'd be greetin'
For they're awfie lads, the bothy lads
When they get fit they're seekin'
They'll pack a kist and they'll gang an' enlist
And leave their lassies greetin'
For the plooboy lads, they're gey braw lads
But they're false and deceiving
For they'll talk a' and they'll gang awa'
An' leave their lassies greetin'
For they're awfie lads, the bothy lads
When they get fit they're seekin'
They'll pack a kist and they'll gang an' enlist
And leave their lassies greetin'
Well if I had knew what I had ken
An' ta'en my mother's biddin'
I wouldnae be sittin' by her fireside
Cryin', "Hush-a-na, ma bairnie"
For they're awfie lads, the bothy lads
When they get fit they're seekin'
They'll pack a kist and they'll gang an' enlist
And leave their lassies greetin'
Well it's hush-a-ba for I'm yer ma
The lord knows where's yer daddy
But I'll take care and I'll be aware
O' the young lads in the gloamin'
For they're awfie lads, the bothy lads
When they get fit they're seekin'
They'll pack a kist and they'll gang an' enlist
And leave their lassies greetin'