1.
O Death, had'st thou but spar'd his life,
Whom we this day lament!
We freely wad exchanged the wife,
An' a' been weel content.
2.
Ev'n as he is, cauld in his graff,
The swap we yet will do't;
Tak thou the carlin's carcase aff,
Thou'se get the saul o' boot.

O Death, had you but spared his life,
Whom we this day lament!
We freely would have exchanged the wife,
And all been well content.

Even as he is, cold in his grave,
The exchange we yet will do it;
Take you the old shrew's carcass off,
You will get the soul into the bargain.