The Poetry Corner

The Heron Ballads. (Ballad Third.)

By Robert Burns

An Excellent New Song. Tune. "Buy broom besoms." Wha will buy my troggin, Fine election ware; Broken trade o' Broughton, A' in high repair. Buy braw troggin, Frae the banks o' Dee; Wha wants troggin Let him come to me. There's a noble Earl's[1] Fame and high renown For an auld sang, It's thought the gudes were stown. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here's the worth o' Broughton[2] In a needle's ee; Here's a reputation Tint by Balmaghie. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here's an honest conscience Might a prince adorn; Frae the downs o' Tinwald,[3] So was never worn. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here's its stuff and lining, Cardoness'[4] head; Fine for a sodger A' the wale o' lead. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here's a little wadset Buittle's[5] scrap o' truth, Pawn'd in a gin-shop Quenching holy drouth. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here's armorial bearings Frae the manse o' Urr;[6] The crest, an auld crab-apple Rotten at the core. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here is Satan's picture, Like a bizzard gled, Pouncing poor Redcastle,[7] Sprawlin' as a taed. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here's the worth and wisdom Collieston[8] can boast; By a thievish midge They had been nearly lost. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here is Murray's fragments O' the ten commands; Gifted by black Jock[9] To get them aff his hands. Buy braw troggin, &c. Saw ye e'er sic troggin? If to buy ye're slack, Hornie's turnin' chapman, He'll buy a' the pack. Buy braw troggin, Frae the banks o' Dee; Wha wants troggin Let him come to me.