I Rede You Beware o' the Ripples

I rede you beware o' the ripples young man,
I rede you beware o' the ripples young man,
Though the saddle be soft, you needna' ride oft
For fear that the girding beguile you, young man.

I rede you beware o' the ripples young man,
I rede you beware o' the ripples young man,
Though music be pleasure, take music in measure
Or you may want wind in your whistle, young man.

I rede you beware o' the ripples young man,
I rede you beware o' the ripples young man,
Whate'er you bestow, do less than you dow
The more will be thought o' your kindness, young man.

I rede you beware o' the ripples young man,
I rede you beware o' the ripples young man,
If you would be strong and wish to live long
Dance less with your arse to the kipples, young man.

rede=advise; ripples=aches in the lower back; dow=are able;
kipples=rafters
From 1800 edition of Merry Muses of Caledonia. Either collected
by, or written by Roburt Burns.
RG