Story Behind the Song
A lively dance tune called "The Hempdresser" with words by Burns. It shows how much the people wish that the exciseman (custom's officer) would be taken away, so that they enjoy themselves drinking and dancing. Various Scottish dances are mentioned in the song. Burns wrote the words when he was actually working as an exciseman himself!
Lyrics
The de'il cam' fiddlin' thro' the toun,
An' danced awa' wi' the exciseman,
And ilka wife cried. "Auld Mahoun,
Ah wish ye luck o' the prize, man".
The de'il's awa', the dei'l's awa',
The dei'l's awa' wi' the exciseman,
He's danced awa', he's danced awa',
He's danced awa' wi' the exciseman.
We'll mak oor maut, we'll brew oor drink,
We'll dance and sing and rejoice man,
And mony braw thanks tae the muckle black de'il
That danced awa' wi' the exciseman.
The de'il's awa', the de'il's awa', etc.
There's threesome reels, there's foursome reels,
There's hornpipes and strathspeys, man,
But the ae best dance that cam' tae the land,
Was the de'il's awa' wi' the Exciseman".
The de'il's awa', the de'il's awa', etc.
de'il - devil
ilka - every
auld mahoun - other word for Devil
maut - malt
braw - great
muckle - huge
ae - one
|
lo fi play
hi fi play
email track to a friend
add to My.MP3