Herbert Howells: Creep afore ye gang

for mixed choir (SAATTBB) a cappella
Text: English (James Ballantine)
Duration: 4'00''
Difficulty: 3/5

A part song by the eminent English choral composer Herbert Howells.

Text
Creep awa’, my bairnie, creep afore ye gang,
Cock ye baith your lugs to your auld granny’s sang;
Gin ye gang as far ye will think the road lang,
Creep awa’, my bairnie, creep afore ye gang.

Creep awa’, my bairnie, ye’re ower young to learn
To tot up and down yet, my bonnie wee bairn;
Better creeping cannie, than falling wi’ a bang,
Duntin’ a’ your wee brow, creep afore ye gang.

Ye’ll creep, an’ ye’ll laugh, an’ ye’ll nod to your mother,
Watchin’ every step o’ your wee drowsy brother;
Rest ye on the floor till your wee limbs grow strang,
An’ ye’ll be a braw chield yet, creep afore ye gang.

The wee birdie fa’s when it tries ower soon to flee;
Folks are sure to tumble when they climb ower hie;
They wha dinna walk aright, are sure to come to wrong,
Creep awa’, my bairnie, creep afore ye gang.

James Ballantine

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