Complete Songs Of Robert Burns - online book

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VI. THE JOLLY BEGGARS		229
Tune : Jolly Mortals, Jill your glasses [Ritson's English Songs, 1783.]



See the smoking bowl before us, Mark our jovial, ragged ring! Round and round take up the chorus, And in raptures let us sing,— Chorus. A fig for those by law protected! Liberty's a glorious feast! Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest I

What is title, what is treasure, What is reputation's care? If we lead a life of pleasure, Tis no matter how or where! With the ready trick and fable Round we wander all the day; And at night, in barn or stable Hug our doxies on the hay. Does the train-attended carriage Thro' the country lighter rove ? Does the sober bed of marriage Witness brighter scenes of love ?	Life is all a variorum, We regard not how it goes ; Let them cant about decorum, Who have character to lose. Here's to budgets, bags, and wallets! Here's to all the wandering train ! Here's our ragged brats and callets! One and all, cry out,—'Amen '! A fig for those by law protected! Liberty's a glorious feast! Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest!