Oh, can ye sew cushions and can ye sew sheets? And can ye sing baluloo when the bairn greets? And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb. I biggit the cradle all on the tree top And the wind it did blaw, and the cradle did rock And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb. Now hush-a-ba, lammie, and hush-a-ba, dear Now hush-a-ba, lammie, thy minnie is here And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb. The wild wind is ravin', thy minnie heart's sair The wild wind is ravin', and you dinna care And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb. Sing ba-la-loo, lammie, sing ba-la-loo, dear Does the wee lammie ken that his daddy's no' here? And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb. Ye're rockin fu' sweetly upon my warm knee But your daddy's a-rockin' upon the salt sea And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb. "In this, one of the best-known of Scotch ballads, a mother--'minnie'--sings a double song, a lullaby to soothe her child to sleep and a song of lament, recounting her fears for her sailor husband, her concern for his safety."