Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DRUNKARD'S WIFE, by JANET HAMILTON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DRUNKARD'S WIFE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O jeanie, my woman! Whaur is't ye are gaun
Last Line: Sae ye're greetin', an' toilin', an fechtin' awa'
Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson
Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Marriage; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


O JEANIE, my woman! whaur is't ye are gaun,
Wi' a bairn on yer arm an' ane in yer haun?
There's snaw on the grun, an' nae shune on yer feet,
An' ye speak na a word, but juist murther an' greet.

Yer ae drogget coat is baith scrimpy an' worn,
An' yer aul' leloc toush is baith dirty an' torn;
An' roun' yer lean haffits, ance sonsy an' fair,
Hings tautit an' tousie yer bonny broon hair.

Yer wee shilpit weanie's a pityfu' prufe
That yer bosom's as dry an' as queem as my lufe;
For the bairn wi' the beard sooks ye sairest alace,
For he draws the red bluid frae yer hert an' yer face

Waesucks for ye, Jeanie! I kent ye fu' weel
Whan a lass; ye war couthie, an' cantie, an' leal:
Wi' cheeks like the roses, yer bonnie blue e'e,
Aye glancin' an' dancin' wi' daffin' an' glee.

They tauld ye that Davie was keen o' the drink,
That siller ne'er baid in his pouches a blink;
An' a' he got claut o' he waret on the dram,
An' ae pay ne'er sert till anither ane cam.'

But ye wadna be warnt, sae yer weird ye maun dree,
Tho' aften ye raither wad lie doun an' dee
For o' puir drucken Davie ye've nae houp ava,
Sae ye're greetin', an' toilin', an fechtin' awa'





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net