The Tally ©

Mary wis dancin’, happy in the supper room
Wi’ a’ o’ her ladies, the four Marys, in attendance
David wis pluckin’, at his mandolin tae tune
Getting ready for a two-by-two-by-two step dance

Mary said, ‘David, David, can ye play the minuet?’
So he bent doon tae the lute, so that he’d be nearer
‘David, David, have ye no’ goat that thing ready yet?’
He said, ‘I havenae goat the music so I’m playin’ it by ear’

Poor David Rizzio, wi’ his ear so sorely occupied
He didnae hear the rumpus oan the stair
The Thugs rushed in an’ Mary’s favourite music died
Wi’ Darnley’s dagger in his back, an’ him lyin’ oan the flerr

O’ a’ ye Scottish noblemen, hing doon yer heids in shame
Takin’ Mary’s melodies away
An’ the wee Italian troubadour, so far away frae hame
Will haunt ye a’, until ye’re auld an’ grey