The Cripples Race.
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THere was a Race in Glasgow Town,
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the like was never seen
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[I]n Stirling, Lorn, nor yet in Down,
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nor yet in Aberden.
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Two Criples did take on that Race,
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for pride between them fell:
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The lik was never into no place,
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but once into Dunkell.
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In Februar that Race was run,
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on Munday after noon;
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But I think there was little spun
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till once this Race was done.
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They needed neither Horse nor Meir,
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the way was tight and clean,
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For neither had they lance nor spear
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to just upon the green.
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Seven feet was counted and three ein,
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they had between them baith;
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The like, I think, was never seen
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in Glasgow, I perceive.
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They had three staves to run withall,
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because their legs were short.
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Ye never saw, nor never shal,
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I think a braver sport,
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I have been East, I have been West,
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but not in Germanie;
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In all the parts that ere I past,
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the like I did not see.
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There were right many Gentlemen
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came here this race to see
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For any think that I did ken,
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young Limpy wan the gree,
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The lasses ran in troups and pairs,
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down for to see that Race;
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And some fell here and some fell there,
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and some fell on there face:
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And some of them fell in the stank
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while they were wet and weary:
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They gave the Cripples little thank,
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cause they began that steiry.
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Their bony locks which did hing down,
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were drowked all with rain.
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So were their Wast;coats & their gown,
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ere they came back again.
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What way this bargan first began,
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I know not certainlie:
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For all the bouts they ever ran,
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young Limpy wan the gree.
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What ever he was that did them start,
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I think he did some wrong:
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[B]ecause that he did take the part
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with him that was most strong.
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Their pokes and all were casten by,
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to make them to be light;
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And all their duds hung out to dry,
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wherein they ly all night.
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The youngest Cripple had great slight
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and souple of himself,
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At every bend, he was so light,
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I think he lap five ell.
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The eldest he began to tyre,
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and fagged cruellie
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The wind it blew him in the myre,
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which many one did see.
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The eldest on was stiff and old,
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the way was something dreigh;
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The day indeed was something cold,
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the wind blew wonder high.
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Young limpy had no wand nor whip,
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for ought that we did see;
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He cast him and his belly up,
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and in the dirt lay he,
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At that he took a great disdain,
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and grieved mightlie,
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Ere he wan to his feet again,
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young Limpy wan the gree,,
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And then the shouldiers gave a shout
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the lasses playd ti hie,
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And all the lads cryd round about
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Young Limpys won the gree,
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And then they brought him to the town
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as he had won the Bell.
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The eldest Cripple fell in swoun,
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because he got the Mell.
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John Ferguson he gets the wyte
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that limpy wan the gree,
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They say he did it through despite,
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judge if it be a lie,
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He hath good drink into his house,
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who ever likes to buy
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Ye know he hath an honest wife,
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can ruse it by and by.
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John Fergusons a fellow fine,
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at home in his own house,
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He cares no more a drink of wine,
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then some doth for a lous.
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Now at this time Ile say no more,
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but here I will conclude:
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All kind of things I wll abhore,
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that seemeth to be rude.
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