Wee Willie Winkie

Album: Celtic Lullabies

Traditional

Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, Upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown. Rapping at the windows, crying through the lock, "Are the children all in bed? For it's now eight o'clock". Hey Willie Winkie, are ye comin' ben? The cat's singin' grey thrums to the sleepin' hen, The dog's speldert on the floor and disna gie a cheep, But here's a waukrife laddie that winna fa' asleep. Anything but sleep, you rogue, glow'ring like the moon, Rattlin' in an airn jug wi' an airn spoon, Rumblin', tumblin' roon about, crawin' like a cock, Skirlin' like I kenna what, waukerin' sleepin' folk. Hey Willie Winkie, the wean's in a creel, Wamblin aff a body's knee like a verra eel, Ruggin' at the cat's lug and ravenin' a' her thrums- "Hey Willie Winkie! See, here he comes!"