Saint Andrew's Day

'Aweel, Ellangowan,' she said, 'wad it no hae been a bonnie thing, an the

leddy had been brought to bed, and me at the fair o' Drumshourloch, no

kenning, nor dreaming a word about it? Wha was to hae keepit awa the

worriecows, I trow? Ay, and the elves and gyre-carlings frae the bonnie

bairn, grace be wi' it? Ay, or said Saint Colme's charm for its sake, the

dear?' And without waiting an answer she began to sing--

     Trefoil, vervain, John's-wort, dill,

     Hinders witches of their

     will, Weel is them, that weel may

     Fast upon Saint Andrew's day.

     Saint Bride and her brat,

     Saint Colme and his cat,

     Saint Michael and his spear,

     Keep the house frae reif and wear.

Text from Walter Scott’s “Guy Mannering” for St. Andrew’s Day (November 30).