Just A Wee Deoch an' Doris

Just A Wee Deoch-an-Doris Words and music by Harry Lauder, Whit Cunliffe, Gerald Grafton submitted by Betty Lauder Hamilton

Lyrics copied from the excellent website www.sirharrylauder.com

A "wee deoch an' doris" is, of course, a little drink at the door before going. Harry Lauder was a great singer, a great entertainer, a great humanitarian, and a great man. Aye! In the Great War he entertained troops in the trenches in France, coming under enemy fire. He raised huge sums for war charities and also paid for uniforms for British troops out of his own pocket. For these and other activities he was later knighted by King George V in 1919. God bless ye, Harry!

verse 1
There's a good old Scottish custom, that has stood the test of time,
It's a custom that is carried out in ev'ry land and clime.
Where brother Scots fore-gather, it's aye the usual thing.
When just before they say guid-nicht, they fill their cups and sing-

Chorus
Just a wee deoch-an-doris, just a wee dram that's a'
Just a wee deoch-an-doris before we gang a-wa'
There's a wee wifie waitin', in a wee but an ben (a "but an ben" is a small cottage)
If you can say, "It's a braw bricht moonlicht nicht"
well ye a'richt ye ken

verse 2
I like a man that is a man, a man that's straight and fair,
The sort of man that will and can, in all things do his share
I like a man, a jolly man, the sort o' man you know,
The chap that slaps your back and says "Here Jock, before you go- "

chorus

verse 3 (This verse doesn't appear on any of the many recordings I have.)
I'll invite you all some other nicht, to come and bring your wives.
I'll promise you the grandest time you'll have in all your lives!
I'll hae the bagpipes skirling, (hoch) and we'll dance the Hieland fling.
And just for auld acquaintance sake, we'll a' unite and sing-

chorus repeat

Check for other lyrics to other great songs such as "I Love a Lassie" on www.sirharrylauder.com .