Duncan Davison
Duncan Davison's Pursuit: Love, Spinning Wheels, and Promises
Lyrics
There was a lass, they ca'd her Meg,
Introduction of a girl named Meg.
And she held o'er the moors to spin;
Meg used to go to the moors to spin.
There was a lad that follow'd her,
A lad named Duncan Davison followed Meg.
They ca'd him Duncan Davison.
Duncan Davison is the name of the lad.
The moon was dreigh, and Meg was skeigh,
The moon was dull, and Meg was reserved.
Her favour Duncan could na win;
Meg didn't show favor to Duncan.
For wi the rock she wad him knock,
Meg would knock him with the spinning rock.
And ay she shook the temper-pin.
She consistently shook the temper-pin (a tool for spinning).
Ai o'er the moor they lightly foor,
They walked lightly over the moor.
A burn was clear, a glen was green;
The surroundings were picturesque with a clear burn (stream) and a green glen (valley).
Upon the banks they eas'd their shanks,
They rested by the banks and set the spinning wheel between them.
And ay she set the wheel between:
She continued to spin while they rested.
But Duncan swoor a haly aith,
Duncan made a solemn oath that Meg would be his bride the next morning.
That Meg should be a bride the morn;
Meg, in response, threw her spinning tools over the burn (stream).
Then Meg took up her spinnin-graith,
Meg decided to give up spinning temporarily.
And flang them a'out o'er the burn.
She threw her spinning tools over the burn.
We will big a wee, wee house,
They plan to build a small house and live like royalty.
And we will live like king and queen,
They anticipate a joyful and merry life together.
Sae blythe and merry's we will be,
Expressing happiness about the future evenings spent together.
When ye set by the wheel at e'en!
Envisioning a cheerful life by the spinning wheel in the evening.
A man may drink, and no be drunk;
Reflecting on the idea that a man can drink without getting drunk.
A man may fight, and no be slain;
Suggesting a man can fight without getting killed.
A man may kiss a bonie lass,
Emphasizing that a man can kiss a lovely girl and still be welcomed back.
And ay be welcome back again!
Reiteration of the idea of being welcomed back after kissing.
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