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The Cardin' O't, the Spinnin' O't


The cardin' o't, the spinnin' o't, The warpin' o't, the winnin' o't; When ilka ell cost me a groat, The tailor staw the lynin' o't. I coft a stane o' haslock woo', To mak a wab to Johnie o't ; For Johnie is my only jo, I loe him best of onie yet. For tho' his locks be lyart grey, And tho' his brow be beld aboon, Yet I hae seen him on a day, The pride of a' the parishen. The cardin' o't, the spinnin' o't, The warpin' o't, the winnin' o't ; When ilka ell cost me a groat, The tailor staw the lynin' o't.

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Siobhan Redmond

About this work

This is a song by Robert Burns. It was written in 1796 and is read here by Siobhan Redmond.

More about this song

'The Cardin O't' was first published in Johnson's Scots Musical Museum in 1796. In place of a signature the song was assigned the letter 'Z' which denoted a traditional song which Burns had collected and then significantly altered.

The song considers love that endures time and change, and in this respect it conveys similar sentiments to 'John Anderson My Jo'.

Pauline Gray

Themes for this song

agelovework

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