Auld pair of Tawse, The

Weel dae I remember when I was but a bairn
The lickings that I used to get when I did ony hairm;
For mother she was very strict, though loving, kind and good,
She made me aye behave mysel', as a guid bairnies should,
But sometimes I'd forget mysel', and maybe brake her laws
Then I was glad to see her lift the Auld Pair o' Tawse.
                                       
Sometimes she'd take her bauchel, sometimes she'd take the cane,
Sometimes she'd put me ben the room, and mak' me bide my lane;
Sometimes she'd take her open hand and clash me on the jaws,
I'd rather hae a licking wi' the Auld Pair o' Tawse.

The pair o' tawse my mither had were nice and saft and thin
The poor auld body clipped them frae a piece o' auld sheepskin,
They were just as licht's a feather, and sae little strength had she
That though she tried wi' a' her micht, she couldna hurt a flee ;
AI'd roar and great, and stamp my feet,as if 'twas awful sair,
Then laugh just like to crack my sides when I got doon the stair.

I never liked to see my mother gang and lift the cane,
I hated when she put me ben the room to bide my lane ;
And when she took her open hand 'twas sure to bring the tears,
It made me think a thousand bells were ringing in my ears;
The only time that I felt glad, that's when I gave her cause,
Was aye to see my mither lift the Auld Pair o' Tawse.