Tammy Chalmers

O why left I the kirk that patronage gae me
And why left I the manse I got without a fee
Wi' its bonny glebe so green and violets on the lea
O wae worth Tammy Chalmers, he's fairly diddled me.

[Ilka Sabbath my kirk's bell did tae the heavens ring]
And ilka year the godly folk did some fine present bring
And under me my simple flock did flourish prosperously
O wae worth Tammy Chalmers, he's fairly diddled me.

Oh here nae Sabbath bell awakes the Sabbath morn
For neither bell nor belfry does this this bothy kirk adorn
But lath and rotten sarkin where stane and lime should be
O wae worth Tammy Chalmers, he's fairly diddled me.

They say there's a balm for every woe and cure for every pain
But nocht can bring my bonnie glebe and stipend back again
My wife she's broken-hearted, wi' grief I'm like to dee
O wae worth Tammy Chalmers, he's fairly diddled me.

• Tune gif midi mov

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Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin