The Gallowgate Lad - The Unthanks

One night near the grand Central Station

Among crowds that were hurrying by

I happened to see Meggy Bensin

And sairly the lassie did cry

Says I, canny lass what’s the matter?

Says she, quite dejected, I’s sad

I’m grieving for Jack, that’s my lover

My bonny bit Gallowgate lad

You’ll know him, Joe isn’t he handsome?

As clever a lad as you’ll see

He was striker at Stivvisin’s Factory

But lately he’s been on the spree

He got baged for getting on the fuddle

Oh I think he mun fairly gone mad

When he went and he’s joined the Militia

My bonny bit Gallowgate lad

All the neighbours declared he was lazy

But spite’ll make bissy folks speek

Though I know, though I oughtn’t to mention

He never worked more than a week

But with folks gone keep quiet their faillings

I grieve for my love that’s a swad

Oh, his best o' claes are his soldier’s

My brave-looking Gallowgate lad

Man I’ve mended the holes in his elbows

And made his old trousers like new

Well I thought he might spoke about marriage

When his grandfather bought him a coo

But he selled it and spent all his money

And folks said that his love was but cawd

Oh I wish that I couldn’t believe them

My curly haired Gallowgate lad

I was fairly heart-broke since he left us

I cannot live well be myself

And my tongue gans as though it would keep telling

A long way more than I should tell

When the heart’s full it’s great consolation

To whisper what makes you so bad

Oh what made you join the Militia?

My good-looking Gallowgate lad