1: I hae seen the Hairst o Rettie,
Aye, an twa three on the throne, [i.e. farms of that ilk
I've heard for sax or seven weeks
The hairsters girn an groan;
But wi a covie Willie Rae
A monthie an a day,
Sends aa the jolly hairsters
Singin blythly doun the brae.

2: A monthie and a day ma lads,
The likes wis niver seen,
It beats tae sticks the fastest strips
O Vicker's best machine;
A Victory she brings up the rear,
A Speedwell clears the way,
An twenty acre daily yields
Wi doun tae Willie Rae.

3: He drives them roun an roun the fields
At sic an awfa rate,
Yet steers them cannie oot an in
At mony's a kittle gate;
And drives them safely ower the clods
An mony's a hidden hole,
And he'll comes by nae mishanter [i.e. mishap
If you leave him wi the pole. [i.e. in charge

4: He sharps their teeth tae gar them bite,
He taps them on the jaws,
And gin he finds them dully like,
He brawly kens the cause;
A boltie here, a pinnie there,
A little oot o tune,
He shortly stops their wild career
An brings the slushet doun. [i.e. into gear

5: He whittles aff at corners,
An maks crookit bitties stracht,
He likes tae see that man and beast
Are equal in a draucht;
An aa the shavies lyin stracht [i.e. sheaves straight
An nane o them agley, [i.e. none out of line
And he'll count wi ony dominie [i.e. any teacher
Fae the Deveron tae the Spey.

6: He's no made up wi mony words
Nor kent tae puff an lee,
But jist as keen a little chap
As ever you did see;
If you're in search o hairvest wark
Upon a market day,
Tak my advice, be there on time
An look for Willie Rae.

7: And noo we've gotten't in aboot
An aa oor things be ticht,
We settle roun the festive board
And spend a joyfu nicht;
Wi Scottish songs and mutton broth
Tae drive oor cares away,
We'll drink success tae Rettie,
An a health tae Willie Rae.

8: So come aa ye jolly Rettie boys,
A ringin cheer, hurrah!
A band o better workin chaps
A gaffer never saw;
Sae eager aye tae play your part
And ready for the fray,
'Twas you that made the boatie row,
That was steered by Willie Rae.