Willie Wastle by Rod Paterson
Willie Wastle. Robert Burns song performed by Rod Paterson.
Standard English Translation.
Willie Wastle dwelt on Tweed,
The spot they called it Linkumdoddie.
Willie was a weaver good
Could stown a clew with any body.
packs a ball of thread'.)
He had a wife was sullen and dun (dark complexioned),
O, Tinker (Gypsy) Maidgeie was her mother!
Such a wife as Willie had,
I would not give a button for her.
She has an eye (she has but one),
The cat has two the very (same) colour,
Five rusty teeth, besides a stump,
A (bell) clapper-tongue would deafen a miller;
A whisker beard about her mouth,
Her nose and chin they threaten each other (nearly meet):
Such a wife as Willie had,
I would not give a button for her.
She is bow legged, she is hem-shin'd (also bow legged),
One limping leg a hand-breadth shorter;
She is twisted right, she is twisted left,
To balance fair in each quarter;
She has a hump upon her breast,
The twin of that upon her shoulder:
Such a wife as Willie had,
I would not give a button for her.
Old cats by the fireplace sits,
And with her paw her face a-washing;
But Willie's wife in not so neat,
She wipes her face with a footless stocking;
Her ample fists like manure baskets,
Her face would foul the Logan Water:
Such a wife as Willie had,
I would not give a button for her.