When I was not but sweet sixteen
In beauty just a-blooming-o
O little, little did I think
At nineteen I'd be greeting-o

For the ploughman lads, the gay wee lads
They’re false and they’re deceiving-o
And they’ll take your all and they’ll go away
And they leave their lassies grieving-o

Oh, if I’d have known what I now know
I’d have taken my mother’s warning­-o
And I wouldn’t be sitting by your fireside
Crying hush­-a-­bye my baby­-o

For the ploughman lads, the gay wee lads
They’re false and they’re deceiving-o
And they’ll take your all and they’ll go away
And they leave their lassies grieving-o

O, hishie ba, for I'm your ma
And the Lord knows where's your daddy-o
But I'll take good care, and I'll be aware
Of the young men in the gloaming-0

For the ploughman lads, the gay wee lads
They’re false and they’re deceiving-o
And they’ll take your all and they’ll go away
And they leave their lassies grieving-o