This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.
When our ancient forefathers agreed wi' the laird,
For a spot o' good ground for to be a kail-yard,
It was to the brose that they had the regard;
O! the kail brose of auld Scotland;
And O! for the Scottish kail brose.
When Fergus, the first of our kings I suppose,
At the head of his nobles had vanquish'd his foes,
Before they began they had dined upon brose.
O! the kail brose, &c.
Then our sodgers were drest in their kilts paid short hose,
With bonnet and belt which their dress did compose,
With a bag of oatmeal on their back to make brose.
O! the kail brose, &c.
In our free early ages a Scotsman could dine
Without English roast beef, or famous French wine,
Kail brose, if weel made, he always thought fine.
O! the kail brose, &c.
At our annual election of bailies or mayor,
Nae kickshaws or puddings or tarts were seen there,
A dish of kail brose was the favourite fare.
O! the kail brose, &c.
It has been our favourite dish all along,
It our ladies makes beauties, our gentlemen strong,
When moderately used, it our life does prolong.
O! the kail brose, &c.
While thus we can live, we dread no kind of foes —
Should any invade us, we'll twist up their nose,
And soon make them feel the true virtue of brose.
O! the kail brose, &c.
Now State politicians new taxes propose,
Involving our country in numberless woes,
What a blessing it is! there's yet nane upon brose!
O! the kail brose, &c.
But aye since the thistle was joined to the rose,
And Englishmen no more accounted our foes,
We have lost a great part of our stomach for brose.
O! the kail brose, &c.
But each true-hearted Scotsman, by nature jocose,
Can cheerfully dine on a dishful of brose,
And the grace be a wish to get plenty of those.
O! the kail brose of auld Scotland.
And O for the Scottish kail brose!