Chorus
O, he's a ranting, roving lad!
He is a brisk an' a bonie lad!
Betide what may, I will be wed,
And follow the boy wi' the White Cockade!
1.
My love was born in Aberdeen,
The boniest lad that e'er was seen;
But now he makes our hearts fu' sad -
He takes the field wi' his White Cockade.
2.
I'll sell my rock, my reel, my tow,
My guid gray mare and hawkit cow,
To buy mysel a tartan plaid,
To follow the boy wi' the White Cockade.

(Note: - In verse 1, the reference to 'takes the field' means to join an army regiment in the field or in an army station. The
White Cockade refers to Scottish highland regiment's use off cockades or hackles of different colours to identify the
various regiments.)

Chorus
O, he is a ranting, roving lad!
He is a brisk and a handsome lad!
Come what may, I will be wed,
And follow the boy with the White Cockade!

My love was born in Aberdeen,
The handsomest lad that ever was seen;
But now he makes our hearts full sad -
He takes the field with his White Cockade.

I will sell my distaff, my spinning reel, my flax,
My good gray mare and white-faced cow,
To buy myself a tartan plaid,
To follow the boy with the White Cockade.