Justin, Here are the words I think you are looking for. I have taken them from my copy of Alan Reids book (Martyrs, Rogues & Worthies). Alan Reids note says "The Devil's Courtship finds him (the devil) in a familiar role of enticer... and in 'The Devil Uisge Beatha' old nick takes on the form of whiskey. The Gaelic phrase 'uisge beatha' literally means 'water of life' and was Anglicised to become the word "whisky". Regards, Marion THE DEVIL UISGE BEATHA Words by Alan Reid 1. He watches for the gauger man that prowls the countryside, He hides his liquid treasure then waits for night and rides Ower the Torrance burn tae Glesca where there's plenty that will buy her She's that sweet forbidden devil uige beatha 2. A band o' wild marauders in the colours o' Colquhoun Were camped among the Campsie moors above the Lennoxtoon The folk below were soon tae know they were clan Gregor men When they came sweepin' doon the Campsie Glen 3. They scattered a' before them a' the weemin and the bairns They chased the fermin' workers and the fermers' fae their hames They gathered up the cattle and they camped aside the hill And there they fun' the hidden whisky still Ch: Whiskey is a deevil jaud that burns the brains o' man He'll dance or stagger sing or fight He'll argue black and blue is white The fermer's wife the weeda and the weary workin' man They fill the air wi' curses on that devil uisge beatha 4. The Campsie men assembled then tae see what could be done But shepherd lads and cottars cannae match a hielan' band They cursed the thievin' reivers and their heathen hielan cries As they drank their fill aneath the evenin' skies Ch: Whiskey is a deevil jaud that burns the brains o' man He'll dance or stagger sing or fight He'll argue black and blue is white The fermer's wife the weeda and the weary workin' man They fill the air wi' curses on that devil uisge beatha 5. Whisky is a devil jaud that burns the brains o' man For in the night the hielan' men fell drunk upon the grun The Campsie men crept up to them and slew them as they lay And a' was back in order by the day 6. There's stills above the Clachan there's stills aroon the fells There's stills aroon the countryside nae gauger man can smell But the one that snared the Gregor was mair valuable than ten Tae the hones fermers o' the Campsie Glen Ch: Whiskey is a deevil jaud that burns the brains o' man He'll dance or stagger sing or fight He'll argue black and blue is white The fermer's wife the weeda and the weary workin' man They fill the air wi' blessins' on that devil uisge beatha The melody of verses 4 & 5 are the same as verse 1 and verse 6 is the same as 3.
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