I have seen the Hairst o’ Rettie boys an’ twa or three aff the
throne
I’ve heard o’ sax and seiven weeks the hairsters girn an’ groan
A covie Willie Rae wi’ a mouthie an’ a day
Sends a’ the merry haisters singin’ blithely doon the brae
Oh a mouthie and a day ma lads the like was never seen
It beats to sticks the fastest strips o’ Vicker’s best machine
The Speedwell she brings up the rear and the Victory clears the
way
And twenty acres daily yields laid doon tae Willie Rae
For he’ll drive them roon’ and roon’ the fields at such an awful
rate
And steer them canny oot an’ in at monys a kittle gate
He’ll wile them saftly owre a stane and monys a hidden hole
And he’ll come by nae mischanter gin you leave him wi’ a pole
Oh he’ll sharp their teeth tae gar them bite an’ tap them on the
jaw
An’ when he feels them dowlie-like he’ll brawly ken the cause
A boltie here an’ a pinnie there an’ keep them aye in tune
He will shortly stop their wild career an’ bring the clashek
doon
Oh he’ll whittle aff the corners an’ mak crookit bitties stracht
He likes tae see that man and beast are equal in the draught
An’ a’ the stages neat and square an’ nae a sheaf agley
He will count wi’ ony dominie fae the Deveron tae the Spey
Oh he’s nae made up wi’ mony words nor kenned tae puff an’ lee
But just as keen a little chap as ony did see
If ye’re in search o’ hairvest wark upon market day
Tak my advice be there in time an’ look for Willie Rae
Noo we hae got it in aboot an’ a’ wir things be ticht
We’ll gaither roon’ the festal board tae spend a joyful nicht
Wi’ Scottish sangs an’ mutton broth tae charm a’ cares away
We shall drink success tae Rettie an’ oor banister Annie McLean
Oh before I close ma hamely screed I canna weel forget
The faithful dames that gairds the hoose an’ keeps the folk in
meat
Lang may they boil the kail and stir the porritch weel
May they never want or need for nail tae keep the timmer hale
Oh come a’ ye sturdy Rettie blades a ringin’ cheer Hurrah
A band o’ better workin’ folk a gaffer never saw
They’re aye sae willin’ for tae pairt an’ for the free
It was them that made the boattie row that was steered by Willie
Rae
