​Ane by ane they gang awa,
the Gatherer gathers great an sma,
ane by ane makes ane an a’.
Aye when ane sets doun the cup,
ane ahint maun tak it up,
yet thegither they will sup.
Golden-heided, ripe an strang,
shorn will be the hairst ere lang.
Syne begins a better sang.

​George MacDonald (1824-1905)