The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #59643   Message #952473
Posted By: Jim Dixon
14-May-03 - 10:07 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: The Meikle Black Deil
Subject: Lyr Add: THE MEIKLE BLACK DEIL (from Bodleian)
Here's my improved transcription of the above-referenced broadside from the Bodleian. I have corrected the typos (I hope), added some stuff that was omitted, and inserted some HTML to make the typography more closely resemble the original. Enjoy.

THE MEIKLE BLACK DEIL;
Or, The BOGLE-BO!

Being a new SONG on a very old Subject.


YE PRIESTS of KNOX, as sly as fox,
  Wha lang and loud bawl till ye blow,
Ye act your part wi' meikle art
  To keep us fra the BOGLE-BO!

                CHORUS:
        O the tremendous Bogle-bo!
          One foot of him has ne'er a toe;
        But hoof'd like goat, tail, horns to boot
          Has this great lout, the Bogle-bo!


Why so inclin'd to spend your wind,
  Since, predestin'd* to bliss or woe,
Preach ye, or not, we'll get our lot
  In HEAV'N, or with–—the BOGLE BO!

        O the tremendous, &c.

Thou great Lock-Hearts, Master of Arts,
  Of wond'rous parts, though rather slow,
Thou striv'st in vain our point to gain,
  If mark'd (like Cain) for the BOGLE-BO!

        O the tremendous, &c.

Thou count'st them fools who Sunday-schools†
  Set up to teach–the Christ-cross row
To children poor, as some ill hour,
  They'll victims fall to the BOGLE-BO!

        O the tremendous, &c.

Come, Sir, don't frown, your braw new gown,
  (The Ladies' gift) makes you a beau!
And well you chatter 'bout Scripture matter,
  Especially the BOGLE-BO!

        O the tremendous, &c.

What Priests in arms, to spread alarms!
  To work us charms, ere hence we go!
Much it must cost, lest we be lost,
  At last be tost to–the BOGLE-BO!

        O the tremendous, &c.

What a gude warl', we ne'er should quarrel
  While passing through this vale below;
Blithe wad we be, were we but free
  Fra the mighty HE, the BOGLE-BO!!!

      O the tremendous Bogle-bo!
          One foot of him has ne'er a toe;
        But hoof'd like goat, tail, horns to boot
          Has this great lout, the Bogle-bo!


–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—

* If God, from all eternity, has chosen
   One soul to save, and seven damn o' the dozen,
   No priest can ever alter this decree:
   Then what are Knox's Ministers to me?
        –—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—
† L**b, too, bold fellow! just from College come,
   To beat a cushion as it were a drum,
   Is now colleagu'd with other knaves or fools
   Striving to do away with Sunday Schools.

Newcastle, Nov. 2, 1826     FORDYCE, PRINTER, 29, SANDHILL