I am Wearin Awa John

Chris Miles: On Autumn Harvest ah003: Old Songs & Bothy Ballads: For Friendship and for Harmony. Live from the Fife Traditional Singing Festival May 2005.

It was probably a version of this old song that gave Lady Nairne the inspiration to write her verses The Land o the Leal in 1798. Gavin Greig received a number of versions when he enquired for verses of the song for inclusion in his weekly column in the Buchan Observer from 1907 to 1911 (GD 3:706; Roud 2480).

1: I am wearin awa John, I am wearin awa John, I'm wearin awa tae the land o the leal, Sae be kind tae your nainsel John O. 2: Ye'll heat another drink tae me John O, Ye'll heat another drink tae me John O, Wi a wee bit o butter and a little puckle succar, And a wee, wee drappie o a dram John. Chorus: I am wearin awa John, I am wearin awa John, I'm wearin awa tae the land o the leal, Sae be kind tae your nainsel John O. 3: There's three speens in the creel John, There's three speens in the creel John, Gie the yin tae the laddie, gie the tother tae the lassie, Keep the wee cuttie speenie tae yersel John. 4: There's three kye in the barn John, There's three kye in the barn John, Gie the yin tae the laddie, gie the tother tae the lassie, Keep the wee croppie cooie tae yersel John. 5: There's three steels in the hoose John, There's three steels in the hoose John, Gie the yin tae the laddie, gie the tother tae the lassie, Keep the three legged steelie tae yersel John, Chorus: I am wearin awa John, I am wearin awa John, I'm wearin awa tae the land o the leal, Sae be kind tae your nainsel John O. croppie cooie - a cow without horns - a hummel cow.

c p 2006 Autumn Harvest
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