O can ye sew cushions and can ye sew sheets,
and can ye sing ballulow when the bairn greets?
and hie and baw, birdie, and hie and baw, lamb,
and hee and baw, birdie, my bonnie wee lamb.
Hie-o, wie-o what will i do wi' ye?
black's the life that i lead wi' ye,
many o'you, little for to gi' ye,
hie-o, wie-o, what will i do wi' ye?

i've placed my cradle on yon hilly top,
and aye as the wind blew my cradle did rock.
o hush-a-by, babie, o baw lily loo,
and hee adn baw, birdie, my bonnie wee doo,

hie-o, wie-o what will i do wi' ye?
black's the life that i lead wi' ye,
many o'you, little for to gi' ye,
hie-o, wie-o, what will i do wi' ye?