John Anderson, my jo, John Anderson, my jo,
When we were first acquent; [acquent = acquainted]
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonie brow was brent; [bonny = beautiful; brent =
polished new]
But now your brow is beld, John [beld = bald]
And your locks are like the snaw; [snaw = snow]
But blessings on your frosty pow, [pow = head]
John Anderson, my jo.
John Anderson, my jo,
We climb the hill thegither; [thegither = together]
And manys a cantie day, John [cantie = great]
We've had wi' ane anither: [ane anither = one
another/together]
Now we maun totter down, John [maun totter down = must
climb down]
And hand in hand we'll go,
To sleep together at the foot,
John Anderson, my jo.