Traditional Scottish Songs
- Sit Down, My Cronie



A "cronie" is a close and long-lasting friend, often a drinking companion, as in this song by Walter Watson (1780-1854). Watson was initially a cow-herd (from the age of 8) but later became a weaver. He published his first small book of poems and songs in 1808 and a number of them became popular.


      Sit Down, My Cronie

Come sit down, my cronie, an' gie me your crack,
   Let the win' tak the cares o' this life on its back,
Our hearts to despondency we ne'er will submit,
   We've aye been provided for, an' sae will we yet;
An' sae will we yet, an' sae will we yet,
   We've aye been provided for, an' sae will we yet.

Let's ca' for a tankar' o' nappy brown ale,
   It will comfort our hearts an' enliven our tale,
We'll aye be the merrier the langer that we sit,
   We've drunk wi' ither mony a time, an' sae will we yet,
An' sae will we yet, an' sae will we yet,
   We've aye been provided for, an' sae will we yet.

Sae rax me your mill, an' my nose I will prime,
   Let mirth an' sweet innocence employ a' our time;
Nae quarr'lin' nor fightin' we here will permit,
   We've parted aye in unity, an' sae will we yet,
An' sae will we yet, an' sae will we yet,
   We've aye been provided for, an' sae will we yet.

Meaning of unusual words:
cronie = close and long-lasting friend
win' = wind
sae = so
nappy = strong, foaming
Sae rax me your mill = so extend to me your snuff box

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs




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