Auld Daddy Darkness by James Ferguson

Auld Daddy Darkness creeps frae his hole,

Black as a blackamoor, blin’ as a mole;

Stir the fire till it lowes, let the bairnie sit,

Auld Daddy Darkness is no’ wantit yet.

See him in the corners hidin’ frae the licht,

See him at the window gloomin’ at the nicht;

Turn up the gas licht, close the shutters a’

An’ Auld Daddy Darkness will flee far awa’.

Awa’ to hide the birdie within its cosy nest,

Awa’ to hap the wee flooers on their mither’s breast,

Awa’ to loosen Gaffer Toil frae his daily ca’,

For Auld Daddy Darkness is kindly to a’.

He comes when we’re weary to wean’s frae oor waes,

He comes when the bairnies are getting aff their claes,

So Auld Daddy Darkness is better than he seems.

Shut yer een my wee tot, ye’ll see Daddy then;

He’s in below the bed claes, to cuddle ye he’s fain.

Noo nestle in his bosie, sleep an’ dream yer fill,

Till Wee Davie Daylicht comes keekin’ owre the hill.