Was a sight ever bonnier at morn
Than a black-face ewie wi' a crook tae her horn?
Grazin' in the lea o' a fell above the sea
Wi' a fine fleece waitin' tae be shorn
Ye'll drive her through the bonny banks o' broom
And ye'll cut awa' her coat afore the heather comes tae bloom
And the clickin' o' the shears will reach a Flemish weaver's ears
And he'll answer wi' the rattle o' his loom
Come herd or hynd, come wright o' shearer
Come every rash and rovin' blade
I'll bring ye tae the banks o' Veere
Tae try your luck at the Holland trade
Tae prosper, ye maun leave the hills behind
Drive your cairt up tae Crail and find the harbour doon the wynd
At the sign o' the anchor, ye'll meet a man o' rank
Wha'll bring ye tae a bonny barquentine
Ye'll sail across the German Ocean wide
And the merchants will be waitin' when ye reach the other side
And their eyes'll tell the tale as they finger every bale
And then ye'll seal yer bargain on the tide
Come herd or hynd, come wright o' shearer
Come every rash and rovin' blade
I'll bring ye tae the banks o' Veere
Tae try your luck at the Holland trade
Ye'll find yersel a la** upon the shore
And if ye tell her ye've a ship ye'll hae her mother at the door
For it's a fine-feathered life tae be a wool captain's wife
Drinkin' port and sherry wine forever more
And if she'll consent tae tak your name
Ye'll turn a fine Dutch damsel tae a guid Scots dame
And she'll bring yer supper in wi' a dram o' Hollands gin
And smile when ye put oot the candle flame
Come herd or hynd, come wright o' shearer
Come every rash and rovin' blade
I'll bring ye tae the banks o' Veere
Tae try your luck at the Holland trade
So when a fine brig comes sailin' up the Forth
Wi' sack for the south and brandy for the north
While the siller's linkin' in
That pays for sober men tae sin
Just remember what gave the trade its worth
For there's many's the fortune that's been born
Tae a black-faced ewie wi' a crook tae her horn
Grazin' in the lea o' a fell above the sea
Wi' a fine fleece waitin' tae be shorn
Come herd or hynd, come wright o' shearer
Come every rash and rovin' blade
I'll bring ye tae the banks o' Veere
Tae try your luck at the Holland trade