Lyrics Burl Ives – Wee Cooper O’ Fife

There was a wee cooper what lived in Fife
Knickety, knackety, no no no
And he had gotten a gentle wife
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo

She wouldna bake, nor she wouldna brew
Knickety, knackety, no no no
For the spoilin’ o’ her comely hue
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo

She wouldna wash, nor she wouldna wring
Knickety, knackety, no no no
For the spoilin’ o’ her gowden ring
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo

She wouldna card, nor she wouldna spin
Knickety, knackety, no no no
For the shamin’ o’ her gentle kin
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo

So the wee cooper went to his woodpack
Knickety, knackety, no no no
And laid a sheepskin on his wife’s back
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo

‘Now, I wouldna thrash ye for your gentle kin
Knickety, knackety, no no no
But I would thrash me ain sheepskin’
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo

‘Oh, I will bake and I will brew
Knickety, knackety, no no no
And nae mair think o’ my comely hue!
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo

‘And I will wash and I will wring
Knickety, knackety, no no no

‘And I will card and I will spin
Knickety, knackety, no no no
And nae mair think o’ my gentle kin!’
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo

So ye what has gotten a gentle wife
Knickety, knackety, no no no
Just ye send for the wee cooper o’ Fife!
Hey willy-wallacky, how John Dougal, a lane quo rooshety roo roo roo