Can You Sew Cushions?
O can ye sew cushions? Or can ye sew sheets? An’ can ye sing ba-la-loo When the bairnie greets?
An’ hee an’ ba, birdie, An’ hee an’ ba, lamb, Ah’ hee an’ ba, birdie, My bonnie wee man.
Hee O, wee O, what’ll I do wi’ ye? Black is the life that I lead wi’ ye; Owre mony o’ ye, little to gie ye, Hee O, wee O, what’ll I do wi’ ye?
Now hush-a-ba, lammie, An’ hush-a-ba, dear; Now hush-a-ba, lammie, Thy minnie is here, The wild wind is ravin’, Thy minnie’s heart’s sair; The wild wind is ravin’, An’ ye dinna care.
Hee O, wee O, etc.
Sing ba-la-loo, lammie, Sing bo-la-loo, dear; Does wee lammie ken That his daddie’s no here? Ye’re rockin’ fu’ sweetly On mammie’s warm knee, But daddie’s a-rockin’ Upon the saut sea.
Hee O, wee O, etc.
O I hung thy cradle On yon holly top, An’ aye as the wind blew Thy cradle did rock. An’ hush-a-ba, baby, O ba-lilly-loo; An’ hee an’ ba, birdie, My bonnie wee doo!
Hee O, wee O, etc.
We see continually how dear to the songs of childlife are the mention of birds and all things sweet in the round of everyday life. Here now—