A DRINKIN MAN
(Davie Robertson}

When I was but fiteen years auld
I got intae ma hauns
A bottle o' the best o' stuff
frae Fowlers o' the Pans

A drinking man, a drinkin man
A drinkin man I'll be
For I've aye been a drinkin man
And a drinkin man I'll dee

And since that day wi' demon drink,
I've danced a merry jig
Mair liquid has gaen ow'er my neck
as passed the old toon brig

On reachin' man's estate I wed
a lass beyond compare
And the first nicht o' ma honeymoon
spent crashed oot on the flair

It's drink that cools ma summer's drouth
and warms ma winter shiver
It's drink that satisfies ma mooth
and putrifies ma liver

And when auld age comes creepin' in
I'll never girn or greet
But I'll drag ma guts doon tae the pub
and bang them fu' o' bree (not the original)

And tho' I'm here tae sing this sang
when life and spirit flee,
I'll hae nae fancy marble tomb
so wi' this remember me

Fowlers brewery at Prestonpans just east of Edinburgh were famous for a brew that rejoiced in the name "Wee Heavy" It was black and strong, more of a barley wine perhaps. From memories of forty years ago I think the brewery closed down. jacko