In 'The Gallant Weaver' Burns adopts a common motif of folk song: the importance of marrying for love and happiness as opposed to wealth and social elevation: 'My daddie sign'd my tocher-band/ To ...

My heart was ance as blythe and free As simmer days were lang, But a bonie, westlin weaver lad Has gart me change my sang. To the weaver's gin ye go, fair maids, To the weaver's gin ye go ...