The cantie spring scarce rear'd her head,
⁠And winter yet did blaud her,
When the Ranter cam' to Anster fair,
⁠An' spier'd for Maggie Lauder;
A snug wee house in the East Green,
⁠Its shelter kindly lent her;
Wi' canty ingle, clean hearth-stane,
⁠Meg welcomed Rob the Ranter!

Then Rob made bonnie Meg his bride,
⁠An' to the kirk they ranted;
He play'd the auld "East Nook o’ Fife,"
⁠An' merry Maggie vaunted,
That Hab himsel' ne'er play'd a spring,
⁠Nor blew sae weel his chanter,
For he made Anster town to ring;
⁠An' wha's like Rob the Ranter?

For a' the talk an' loud reports
⁠That ever gaed against her,
Meg proves a true an' carefu' wife,
⁠As ever was in Anster;
An' since the marriage knot was tied,
⁠Rob swears he couldna want her,
For he lo'es Maggie as his life,
⁠An' Meg lo'es Rob the Ranter.