Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Duncan M'Cleary

Traditional

“Duncan M'Cleary” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 101 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

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.

Verse 1

Duncan M'Cleary, an' Janet his wife,

Duncan M'Cleary, he play'd on the fife;

Janet she dauncit, quhill she cried wearie,

"Unco weel dauncit," quo' Duncan M'Cleary.

Duncan M'Cleary an' Janet M'Cleary,

Duncan was blin', an' Janet was blearie,

He was deafish beside, an' couldna' just hear aye;

"There's nae muckle matter," quo' Janet M'Cleary.

Duncan M'Cleary an' Janet his wife,

War peaceable bodies an' vitet a' strife;

She rubbit his beard, an' he ca'ed her his dearie;

O couthie was Duncan wi' Janet M'Cleary.

Duncan M'Cleary an' Janet his wife,

They toitet an' toilet thegither through life;

When Duncan was douff, Janet never was cheerie,

Sae aesome was Janet an' Duncan M'Cleary.

Duncan M'Cleary an' Janet M'Cleary,

Tho' lovin' an' sweet, the twa couldna wear aye;

Sae Duncan he deet, and Janet grew drearie,

An' soon stappit awa' after Duncan M'Cleary.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “Duncan M'Cleary”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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