ALTERED DAYS
(w. John Barr attrib/m. Anon)

When to New Zealand first I cam’
Poor and duddy, poor and duddy
It was a happy day, sirs
For I was fed on parritch thin
My taes they stickit thro’ my shoon
I ruggit at the pouken pin
But could’ mak’ it pay, sirs

Baith nicht and day upon the board
Ruggin’ at it, tuggin’ at it
I strived to please a paper lord
Wha once had been a weaver
But he got up and I got down
I wandered idly thro’ the town
A tattered bonnet on my croon
And wasna worth a steever

Nae mair the laird comes for his rent
For his rent, for his rent
When I hae nocht to pay, sirs
Nae mair he’ll take me aff the loom
Wi’ hangin’ lip and pouches toom
To touch my hat and boo to him
The like was never kent, sirs

But now it’s altered days, I trow
A weel a wat, a weel a wat
The beef is tumblin’ in the pat
And I’m baith fat and fu’, sirs
At my door cheeks there’s bread and cheese
I work or no’ just as I please
I’m fairly settled at my ease
And that’s the way o’t noo, sirs

Youtube clip

Scots in NZ

--Stewie.