There's nae luck about the house (Charles Macpherson)

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• (Posted 2023-11-14)  CPDL #77324:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-11-14).   Score information: Letter, 12 pages, 723 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• (Posted 2021-08-09)  CPDL #65412:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2021-08-09).   Score information: A4, 11 pages, 277 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: There's nae luck about the house
Composer: Charles Macpherson
Lyricist: Jean Adam
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Folksong

Language: Lowland Scots
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1908 The Musical Times no.781
Description: Inscribed to the Folk-song Quartet

Original text and translations

English text

And are ye sure the news is true?
And are ye sure he's weel?
Is this a time to think o' wark?
Ye jades, fling by your wheel;
Is this a time to think o' wark
When Colin's at the door?
Rax [=reach] me my cloak, I'll to the quay
And see him come ashore.
For there's nae luck about the house,
There's nae luck at a',
There's little pleasure in the house
When our gudeman's awa'.

Rise up and mak' a clean fireside,
Put on the muckle [=large] pot,
Gie little Kate her cotton gown,
And Jock his Sunday coat;
Rise up and mak' their shoon [=shoes] as black as slaes, [=sloes]
Their stockings white as snaw, [=snow]
It's a' to pleasure my gudeman,
He likes to see them braw. [=fine]
For there's nae luck about the house,
There's nae luck at a',
There's little pleasure in the house
When our gudeman's awa'.

There's twa fat hens upon the corf, [=shed]
Been fed this month and mair,
Make haste and thraw [=twist] their necks about,
That Colin weel may fare;
And gie to me my bigonet, [=a white linen cap]
My bishop-satin goon; [=gown]
For then gae tell the Baillie's wife
That Colin's come to toon.
For there's nae luck about the house,
There's nae luck at a',
There's little pleasure in the house
When our gudeman's awa'.

Sae sweet his voice, sae smooth his tongue,
His breath's like caller [=fresh] air,
His very tread has music in't
As he comes up the stair:
And will I see his face again,
And will I hear him speak?
I'm downright dizzy wi' the thought,
In troth I'm like to greet. [:weep]
For there's nae luck about the house,
There's nae luck at a',
There's little pleasure in the house
When our gudeman's awa'.