Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/fisherchapbook544 


MOBERT  BURN'S 


SONG-BOOK. 


BEING  A 

COLLECTION  OF   THE   MOST  FAVOURITE 


CONTENTS. 


Ye  Banks  and  braes, 

Green  Grows  tlie  Rashes  O  ! 

My  Nannie  O, 

0'  Willie  Brew'd  a  Peck  o' 
IMaut, 

Amang  the  Rigs  of  Barley, 
Scots  Wha  hae  wV  Wallace 

bled, 
Highland  IMary. 
John  Anderson  my  jo  John, 
The  Birks  of  Aberfeidy, 
Gloomy  Winters  now  awa, 


There  nae  luck  about  the  house 
Set  ye  down  my  cronies, 
Lowland  lassie  Wilt  thou  go, 
Oh,  Mary  wilt  thou  gang  wi* 
me. 

The  Ewie  wi'  the  crooked  horn 

Kelvin  Grove, 

Auld  Robin  Grey, 

My  Love  she's  bat  a  lassie  yet, 

O'er  the  JMoor  amang  thu 

heather, 
Auld  Langsyne, 


Banks  of  Boon. 


Ye  banks  and  braes  o'  bonny  Doon, 

how  can  ye  bloom  sae  fresh  and  fair ! 
How  can  ye  chant,  ye  little  birds, 

and  I  sae  weary,  fu'  o'  care  ! 
Thoul't  break  my  heart  thou  warbling  bird, 

that  wantons  thro'  the  flow  ring  thorn. 
Thou  minds  me  o'  departed  joys, 

departed  never  to  return. 

Oft  hae  I  roved  by-bonoy  Doon, 

to  see  the  rose  and  woodbine  twine ; 
And  Ilka  birds  sang  o'  its  love, 

and  foundly  sae  did  I  o'  mine, 
Wi'  lightsome  heart  I  pu'd  a  rose, 

fu*  sweet  upon  its  thorny  tree ; 
And  my  fause  lover  stole  my  rose, 

but  ah  !  he  left  thorn  wi'  me. 

Green  grow  the  Rashes,  O. 

Green  grow  the  rashes    O  I 

green  grow  the  rashes,  O  ! 
The  sweetest  hours  that  e'er  I  spend, 

are  spent  amang  the  lasces,  O  I 

There's  nought  but  care  on  every  han', 

in  ev'ry  hour  that  passes,  O ; 
What  signifies  the  life  o' ma'!^i> 

and  'twere  na  for  the  lasses,  0. 

Green  grow,  &:c.  '  -^^^ 


4 


The  war'ly  race  may  riches  chase, 
and  riches  still  may  fly  them,  O  ; 

But  tho'  at  last  they  catch  them  fast, 
Their  hearts  can  ne'er  enjoy  them,  O. 
Grten  grow,  &c. 

But  gie  me  a  canny  hour  at  e'en, 
my  arms  about  my  dearie,  O  ; 

And  war'ly  cares  and  war'ly  men. 
May  a'  gae  tapsalterie,  O ; 

Green  grow,  &C5 

For  you  sae  douse,  ye  sneer  at  this, 
ye'er  nought  but  senseless  asses,  O  ! 

The  wisest  man  the  war!'  e'er  saw, 
he  dearly  lo'ed  the  lasses,  O. 

Green  grow,  &c, 

Auld  nature  swears,  the  lovely  dears 
her  noblest  work  she  classes,  O  : 

Her  'prentice  han'  she  tried  on  man, 
and  then  she  made  the  lasses,  O. 
Green  grow,  &c. 

Mj  Nanne,  0. 

Behind  yon  hill  where  Lugar  flows, 
'mang  moors  an'  m.osses  many  O, 

The  wintry  sun  the  day  has  closed, 
and  I'll  awa  to  Nannie,  O. 

The  westlln  wind  blaws  iQud  and  shrill ; 

the  night's  baith  mirk  and  rainy,  O: 
But  rii  get  my  plaid  and  out  I'll  steal, 

an'  o'er  the  hilly  to  Nannie,  O.  ^ 


5 


My  Nannie's  cliarming,  sweet  and  young ; 

nae  arlfu'  wiles  to  win  ye,  O : 
May  ill  beta'  the  flatt'ring  tongue 

that  wad  beguile  my  Nannie.  O 

Her  face  is  fair,  her  heart  is  true, 
as  spotless  as  she's  bonnie,  O  ; 

The  opening  go  wan,  wet  wi'  dew, 
nae  purer  is  than  Nannie,  O. 

A  country  lad  is  my  degree,      .  . 

an'  few  there  be  that  ken,  me.  O 
But  what  care  I  how  few  there  be, 
I'm  welcome  aye  to  Nannie,  O 

My  riches  a's  my  penny- fee, 
an  1  maun  guide  it  cannie,  O ; 

But  warFs  gear  ne'er  troubles  me, 
my  thoughts  are  a',  my  Nannie,  O. 

Our  auld  Guidraan  delights  to  view 
his  sheep  and  kye  thrive  bonnie,  O ; 

But  I'm  as  blithe  that  hands  his  pleugh, 
an'  hue  nae  care  but  Nannie,  O. 

Come  weel,  come  woe,  I  care  nae  by, 
I'll  tak'  what  Heav'n  will  sen'  me  O  ; 

Nae  ither  care  iu  life  have  I 

but  live,  an'  love  my  Nannie,  O 

Willie  Brew'd  a  Peck  o'  Maut 

O  WILLIE  brew'd  a  peck  o'  maut, 
and  Rob  and  Allen  cam  to  see  ; 

Three  blither  hearts,  that  lee-lang  night 
ye  wad  na  find  in  Christendie, 


6 


We  are  7iafou,  we're  na  thatfoUg 
hut  just  a  drappie  in  our  ee. 

The  cock  may  craw,  the  day  may  daw, 
nnd  ay  we'' II  taste  the  barley  bree. 

Here  aie  we  met,  three  merry  boys, 
three  merry  boys  I  trow  are  we  5 

And  mony  a  night  we've  merry  been, 
and  mony  mae  we  hope  to  be  I 

It  is  the  moon,  I  ken  her  horn, 
that's  blinkin  in  the  lift  sae  hie  ! 

She  shines  :  sae  bright  to  while  us  hame^ 
but  by  my  sooth  shell  wait  a  wee  3 

Wha  first  shall  rise  to  gang  away, 
a  cuckold,  coward  loun  is  he  ! 

Wha  first  beside  his  chair  shall  fa% 
He  is  the  king  amang  us  three  ! 

Amang  the  Rigs  o'  Barley, 

It  was  Hpon  a  Lammas  night, 

when  corn-rigs  are  bonny. 
Beneath  the  moon's  unclouded  light, 

I  held  awa'  to  Annie : 
The  time  flew  by  wi  tentless  heed, 

till  ^tween  the  late  and  early, 
Wi'  sma'  persuasion  she  agreed 

to  see  me  through  the  barley. 

Corn  rigs,  and  barley  rigs 
,   an'  corn  rigs  are  bonny 
1*11  ne'er  forget  that  happy  nighty 
amang  the  rigs  wi'  Annie. 


The  sky  was  Blue,  the  wind  was  stilly 
the  moon  was  shining  clearly  ; 

I  set  her  down,  wi'  right  good-will 
Ainang  the  rigs  o'  barley  ; 

I  kent  her  heart  was  a'  my  ain  ; 
I  lo'ed  her  most  sincerely ; 

I  kiss'd  her  o'er  and  o'er  again, 
amang  the  rigs  o'  barley. 

I  lock'd  her  in  my  fond  embrace  5 

her  heart  was  beating  rarely ; 
My  blessings  on  that  happy  plac^e 

amang  the  rigs  0'  barley. 
But  by  the  moon  and  stars  sae  biright, 

that  shone  that  hour  sae  clearly ; 
She  aye  shall  bliss  that  happy  nighty 

am^ng  the  rigs  0'  barley. 

Scots  wha  hae,  &c. 

Scots,  wha  hae  wl'  Wallace  bltjd, 
Scots,  wham  Bruce  has  often  led 
Welcome  to  your  gory  bed. 
Or  to  victory  ! 

Now's  the  day^  and  now's  the  hour ! 
See  the  front  of  battle  lour  ! 
See  approach  proud  Edward's  pow'r, 
Chains  and  slavery  I 

Wha  wad  be  a  traitor  knave  ? 
Wha  wad  fill  a  coward's  grave— 
Wha  sae  base  as  be  a  slave  ? 

Traitor,  turn  and  flee  ! 


8 


Wha  for  Scotland's  king  and  law. 
Freedom's  sword  will  strongly  draw  ? 
Freemen  stand,  or  Freemen  fa', 

Caledonia,  on  wi'  me  I 

By  Oppressions  woes  and  pains  ! 
By  your  sons  in  servile  chains  ! 
"We  will  draw  our  dearest  veins. 

But  they  shall  be  free. 
Lay  the  proud  uusrpers  low  ! 
Tyrants  fall  in  every  foe  ! 
Liberty's  in  every  blow ; 

Forward,  let  us  do  or  die  ! 

Highland  Mary. 

Ye  banks,  and  braes,  and  streams  arnind, 

the  Castle  o'  Montgomery, 
Green  be  your  woods  and  fair  your  flowers^. 

your  waters  never  drumlie  ! 
There  simmer  first  unfaulds  her  robes, 

and  there  they  langest  tarry ; 
And  there  I  took  the  last  farewell 

of  my  sweet  Highland  Mary. 

How  sw^eetly  bloom'd  the  gay,  green  birk, 

how  rich  the  hawthorn's  blossom. 
As  underneath  their  fragrant  s^ade 

I  clasp'd  her  to  my  bosom  ? 
The  golden  hours,  on  angel  wing^, 

flew  o'er  me  and  my  dearie — 
For  dear  to  me  as  ligbt  and  life, 

was  my  dear  Highland  Mary 


9 


WI'  monie  a  vow  and  lock'c!  embrace 

OLiV  parting  was  fu'  teridet ; 
And,  pledging  aft  to  meet  again, 

we  tore  ourselves  asunder. 
But  oh;   fell  death's  untimely  frost, 

that  nipt  my  flower  so  early  ! 
Now  green's  the  sod,  and  cauld*s  the  clay 

that  wraps  my  Highland  Mary  ! 

O  pale,  pale  now  those  rosy  lips, 

I  aft  hae  kiss'd  sae  fondly  ! 
And  closed,  for  aye,  the  sparkling  glance 

that  dwelt  on  me  sae  kindly  ! 
And  mouldering  now  in  silent  dust, 

the  heart  that  lo'ed  me  dearly  ! 
But  still,  within  my  bosom^s  core, 

shall  live  my  Highland  Mary, 

John  Anderson  mj,  jo 

JOHN  Anderson,  my  jo,  John, 

when  we  were  first  acquaint. 
Your  locks  were  like  the  raven, 

your  honnie  brow  was  brent ; 
But  now  you  brow  is  bauld,  John^, 

your  locks  nre  like  the  snow ; 
But  blessings  on  your  frosty  pow, 

John  Anderson,  my  joj 

John  Anderson,  my  jo,  John,  ,] 
we've  clamb  the  hill  thegither; 

And  mony  a  canty  day,  John, 

we've  had  wi'  ane  anither:  ^  / 


10 


Now  we  maun  totter  down,  Jolin, 

but  hand  in  hand  we'll  go. 
And  sleep  tlieglther  at  the  foot, 

John  Anderson,  my  jo. 

The  Birks  of  Aberfeldy, 

Now  simmer  blinks  on  flow'ry  braes, 
and  o'er  the  crystal  streamlet  plays. 

Come  let  us  spend  the  lightsome  days. 
In  the  birks  of  Aberfeldy 

Bonnie  lassie  will  ye  go, 

will  ye  go,  will  ye  go, 
Bonnie  lassie  will  ye  go, 

to  the  birks  of  Aberfeldy, 

While  o'er  their  heads  the  hazels  hing, 
the  little  birdies  blithely  sing. 

Or  lightly  flit  on  wanton  wing. 
In  the  birks  of  Aberfeldy. 

The  braes  ascend  like  lofty  wa's, 

the  foaming  stream  deep  roaring  fa's, 

O'erhung  wi'  fragrant  spreading  shaws. 
The  birks  of  Aberfeldy. 

The  hoary  cliffs  are  crown'd  wl'  flowers, 
white  o'er  the  linns  the  burnie  pours. 

And  rising  weets  wl*  misty  showers 
the  birks  of  Aberfeldy. 

Let  Fortune's  gifts  at  raudom  flee, 
they  ne'er  shall  draw  a  wish  from  me 

Supremely  blest  wi'  love  and  the. 
In  the  birks  of  Aberfeldy. 


GLOOMY  WINTER'S  NOW  AWA. 


Gloomy  winter's  now  awa 
Saft  the  western  breezes  blaw ; 
Mang  the  birks  o*  Stanley  shaw 

the  mavis  sings  fu'  cheerie,  O. 
Sweet  the  crow-flower's  early  bell. 
Decks  Gleniffer's  dewy  dell. 
Blooming  like  thy  bonnie  sell, 

my. young,  my  artless  dearie,  O. 
Come,  my  lassie,  let  us  stray 
O'er  Glenkilloch's  sunnie  brae, 
Blythely  spend  the  gowden  day 

midst  joys  that  never  weary  O, 

Towering  o'er  the  Newton  woods 
Lavrocks  fan  the  snaw-white  clouds. 
Siller  saughs  wi'  downy  buds 

adorn  the  banks  sae  briery  O. 
Round  the  sylvan  fairy  hooks, 
Featli'ry  brackens  fringe  the  rocks, 
^Neath  the  brae  the  burnie  jouks, 

and  ilka  thing  is  cheerie  O. 
Trees  may  bud,  and  birds  may  sing. 
Flowers  may  bloom,  and  verdure  spring;, 
J  y  to  me  they  canna  bring, 

unless  wi'  thee  my  deerie  O. 

NAE  LUCK  ABOUT  THE  HOUSE. 

And  are  ye  sure  the  news  is  true  ? 

and  are  ye  sure  he's  weel  ? 
Is  this  a  time  to  talk  o'  wark  ? 

mak  haste,  set  by  your  wheel. 


12 


Is  this  a  time  to  talk  o'  wark, 

when  Colin's  at  tlie  dour  ? 
Gie  me  my  cloak,  I'll  to  the  fiuay, 

and  see  him  safe  ashore. 

For  there's  nae  luck  about  the  house, 

there's  nae  luck  ava ; 
There's  little  pleasure  in  the  house 
whenour  goodman's  awa. 

Rise  up  and  make  a  clean  fire-side, 

put  on  the  muckle  pat ; 
Gie  little  Kate  her  cotton  gown, 

and  Jock  his  Sunday's  hat ; 
And  mak  their  shoon  as  black  as  slaes^, 

their  hose  as  white  as  snaw. 
It's  a'  to  please  my  ain  goodman, 

for  he's  been  lang  awa,' 
for  there's  nae  luck,  &c. 

There  are  twa  hens  upon  the  bank 

have  fed  this  month  and  mair, 
Mak  haste,  and  thraw  their  necks  about 

that  Colin  weel  may  fare ; 
An. I  spread  the  table  neat  and  clean, 

gar  ilka  thing  look  bra'  ; 
It's  a  a'  for  love  of  my  goodman, 

for  he's  been  lang  awa', 
for  there's  nae  luck,  Src. 

O  gie  me  down  my  bigonet, 

my  bishop-satin  gown. 
For  I  maun  tell  the  bailie's  wlft<, 

that  Colln's  come  to  town, 


13 


My  Sunday's  slioon  tliey  maun  gae  on, 

my  hose  o'  pearl  blue, 
It's  a'  to  please  my  aln  goodman, 

for  lie's  baith  leel  and  true, 
for  there's  nae  luck,  &c, 

Sae  true's  his  words,  sae  smooth's  his  speed 

liis.  breath's  like  caller  air, 
His  very  foot  has  music  in't. 

when  he  comes  up  the  stair. 
And  will  I  see  his  face  again  ? 

and  will  I  henv  him  speak  ? 
I'm  downright  dizzy  wi'  the  thought  i 

In  troth  I'm  like  to  greet, 
for  there's  nae  luck,  &c. 

The  cauld  blasts  of  the  winter  wind, 

that  thrilled  thro'  my  heart. 
They're  a'  blawn  by,  1  hae  hirn  safe, 

till  death  we'll  never  part ; 
.  But  what  puts  parting  in  my  head, 
:*       It  may  be  far  away  ; 

The  present  moment  is  our  ain  ; 
the  neist  we  never  saw. 
for  there's  nae  luck,  &c. 

AND  SAE  WILL  WE  YET. 

Sit  ye  down,  my  cronies,  and  gle  me  your  crack, 
Let  the  win'  take  the  care  o'  this  life  on  its  back, 
Our  hearts  to  despondency  we  never  will  submit. 
For  we've  aye  been  provided  for,  and  sae  will  we 
yet. 

And  sae  will  we  yot,  &c. 


14 


Let  the  miser  delight  in  the  hoarding  of  polf, 
Since  he  has  not  the  sanl  to  enjoy  it  himself  ; 
Since  the  bounty  of  Providence  is  new  ev'ry  day, 
As  we  journey  through  life,  let  us  live  by  the  way. 
Let  us  live  by  the  way. 

Then  bring  us  a  tankard  of  nappy  good  ale. 
For  to  comfort  our  hearts,  and  enliven  the  tale  ! 
We'll  aye  be  provided  for  the  langer  we  sit, 
For  weVe  drang  thegither  monie  a  time,  and  sae 
will  we  yetl 
And  sae  will  we  yet,  &c. 

Success  to  the  farmer,  and  prosper  his  plough. 
Rewarding  his  eident  toils  a'  the  year  through : 
Our  seed  time  and  harvast  we  ever  will  get. 
For  we've  lippen'd  aye  to  Providence  and  sae  will 
we  yet. 
And  sae  will  we  yet,  &:c. 

Long  live  the  king,  and  happy  may  he  be. 
And  success  to  his  forces  by  land  and  by  sea ; 
His  enemies  to  triumph  we  ne'er  will  permit, 
Britons  aye  have  beBn  victorious,  and  sae  will  they 
yet. 

And  sae  will  they  yet,  &:c. 

Let  the  glass  keep  its  course,  and  go  merilie  roun'. 
For  the  sun  hasfto  rise,  tho'  the  moon  it  goes  down. 
Till  the  house  be  rinnin'  round  about  'tis  time 

enough  to  flit, 
When  we  fell,  we  aye  got  up  again,  and  sae  will 

we  yet. 
And  sae  will  we  yet,  &c. 


THE  HIGHLAND  PLAID, 


Lowland  lassie,  wilt  tLou  go, 

Where  tlie  hills  are  clad  wi'  snow  i 

Where,  beneath  the  icy  steep. 

The  hardy  shepherd  tends  his  sheep  ; 

111  nor  wae  shall  thee  betide. 

When  row'd  with  my  Highland  plaid. 

Soon  the  voice  of  cheery  spring 
Will  gar  a'  our  plantings  ring  I 
Soon  our  bonny  heather  braes. 
Will  put  on  their  simmer  claes. 
On  the  mountain's  sunny  side. 
We'll  lean  us  on  my  Highland  plaid. 

When  the  summer  spreads  the  flow'rs. 
Busk's  the  glen  in  leafty  bow'rs. 
Then  we'll  seek  the  caller  shade. 
Lean  us  on  the  primrose  bed  ; 
I'll  screen  thee  wi-  my  Highland  Pliad, 
While  the  burning  hours  preside* 

Then  we'll  leave  the  sheep  and  goat, 
I  will  launch  the  bonny  boat. 
Skim  the  loch  wi'  canty  glee. 
Rest  the  oars  to  pleasure  thee  ! 
When  chilly  breezes  sweep  the  tide, 
111  hap  thee  wi'  my  Highland  Plaid. 

Lowland  lads  may  dress  mair  line. 
Woo  in  words  mair  saft  than  mine  ; 
Lowland  lads  hae  mair  of  art, 
A'  my  boast's  an  honest  heart. 


IG 

Wlillk  shall  ever  be  my  pride ; 
O  row  thee  in  my  Highland  plaid. 

Bonny  lad,  ye've  been  sae  leal. 

My  heart  would  break  at  onr  farewell  ; 

Lang  your  love  has  made  me  fain, 

Take  me,  take  me  for  your  ain  , 

^ Cross  the  Firth,  away  then  glide. 

Young  Donald  and  his  Lowland  bride. 

Oh  !  Nanny  Wil't  Thou  gang  WI'  Me? 

Oh  !  Nanny,  wilt  thou  gang  wi'  me, 

nor  sigh  to  leave  the  flaunting  town  ; 
Can  silent  glens  have  charms  for  thee^ 

t\\e  lowly  cot,  and  russet  gown  ? 
No  longer  drest  in  silk  and  sheen, 

no  longer  deck'd  with  jewels  rare. 
Say,  canst  thou  quit  the  busy  scene, 

where  thou  art  fairest  of  the  fair  ; 

Oh  !  Nanny,  when  thou 'rt  far  away, 

wilt  thou  not  cast  a  wish  behind  ? 
Say,  canst  thou  face  the  parching  ray, 

nor  shrink  before  a  wintry  wind  ? 
Oh  !  can  that  soft,  that  gentle  mien, 

extremes  of  hardships  learn  to  bear, 
Nor  sad  regret  each  courtly  scene, 

where  thou  art  fairest  of  the  fair  ? 

Oh  !  Nanny,  canst  thou  love  so  true, 
through  perils  keen  with  me  to  go. 

Or  when  thy  swain  mishap  shall  rue, 
to  share  with  him  the  pang  of  woe  P 


Say,  should  disease  or  pain  befall, 

wilt  thou  assume  the  nurses  care. 
Nor  wistful  those  gay  scenes  recall, 
where  thou  wert  fairest  of  the  fair  ? 

Oh  I  Nanny,  when  thy  love  shall  die 

wilt  thou  receive  his  parting  breatl  ? 
Wilt  thou  repress  each  struggling  sigh, 
and  cheer  with  smiles  the  bed  of  death  ? 
!    And  wilt  thou  o'er  his  breathless  clay 

strew  flowers,  and  drop  the  tender  tear^ 
Nor  then  regret. those  scenes  so  gay, 
where  thou  wert  fairest  of  the  fair  ? 

FHE  EWIE  Wr  THE  CROOKED  HORN. 


0  were  I  able  to  rehearse. 

My  ewie's  praise  in  proper  verse, 
I'd  blaw  it  out  as  loud  and  fierse. 

As  ever  piper's  drone  could  blaw. 
The  ewie  wi'  the  crooked  horn, 
Weel  deserved  baith  grass  and  com, 
Sic  a  ewie  ne'er  was  born. 

Here  about,  nor  far  awa'. 

1  neither  need-ed  tar  nor  keel. 
To  mark  upo'  her  hip  or  heel ; 
Her  crooked  horn  it  did  as  weil^ 

To  ken  her  by  am o*'  them 
The  ev/ie,  &c. 

A  better,  nor  a  thriftier  beapl, 

Nae  honest  man  cou'd  weel  hae  wist^, 


18 


For,  sUly  thing,  she  never  mist 
To  hae  ilk  year  a  lamb  or  twa. 
The  evvie,  &c« 

The  first  she  had  I  gae  to  Jock, 
To  he  to  him  a  kind  of  stock. 
And  now  the  laddie  has  a  flock, 
O'  mair  than  thirty  head  to  ca'. 
The  ewie  &c. 

The  neist  I  gae  to  Jean,  and  noo 
The  bairn's  sae  bra',  has  fauld  sae  fa'. 
That  lads  sae  thick  come  her  to  woo. 
They're  fain  to  sleep  on  hay  or  straw. 
The  ewie,  &c. 

Yet  Monday  last,  for  a'  my  keeping, 
I  canna'  speak  it  without  greeting, 
A  villian  came,  whed  1  was  sleeping. 
An'  staw  rny  ewie,  horn  an  a'. 
The  ewie,  8cc. 

I  sought  her  sair  upon  the  morn. 
And  down  beneath  a  buss  o'  thorn 
I  got  my  ewe's  crooked  horn  ; 
But,  ah  !  my  ewie  was  awa* 
The  ewie,  82:0. 

But  gin  I  had  the  loon  that  did  It* 
I've  sworn  and  ban'd  as  well  as  said  it, 
Tho'  a'  the  world  shou'd  forbid  it,, 
I  wad  gie  his  neck  a  thnivVj, 
The  ewie,  8ic, 


19 


O  had  she  died  o  crook  or  cauld, ; 
As  ewies  die  whori  they  are  auld,' 
It  wad  na  been,  by  many  fauld, 
Sae  sair  a  heart  to  nane  o's  a. 
The  ewie,  &c. 

For  a'  the  claith  that  we  hae  worn, 
Frae  her  and  hers,  sae  aften  shorn. 
The  loss  o'  her  we  cou'd  hae  born^ 
Had  fair  strae  death  taen  her  awa. 
The  ewie,  &c. 

But  this  poor  thing  to  lose  her  life, 
Aneath  a  greedy  villian's  knife, 
I'm  really  fear'd  that  our  gudewlfe 
Sail  never  win  ahoon't  ava. 
The  ewle,  &c. 

KELVIN  GROVE. 

*et  us  haste  to  Kelvin  grove,  bonny  lassie,  O, 
'hrough  its  mazes  let  us  rove,  bonny  lassie,  O, 
Where  the  rose  in  all  its  pride 
Decks  the  hollow  dingle's  side, 
^'here  the  midnight  fairies  glide,  bonny  lassie,  O 

^e  will  wander  by  the  mill,  bonny  lassie^,  O, 
0  the  cove  beside  the  rill,  bonny  lassie,  O, 

Where  the  glens  rebound  the  call 

Of  the  lofty  waterfall, 
hrough  the  mountain's  rocky  hall,  bonny  lassie,  O. 

rien  we'll  up  to  yonder  glade,  bonny  lassie,  O, 
Hiere  s  oft  beneath  its  shade,  bonny  lassie,  O, 


20 


With  the  songster  in  the  grove, ' 
We  have  told  our  tale  of  love. 
And  have  sportive  garlands,  wove,  bonny  lassie  O. 

Ah  !  I  soon  must  bid  adieu,  bonny  lassie,  O, 
To  this  fairy  scene  and  you,  bonny  lassie,  O, 

To  the  streamlet  winding  clear, 

To  the  fragrant  scented  brier, 
E^en  to  thee,  of  all  most  dear,  bonny  lassie,  O. 

For  the  frowns  of  fortune  low'r  bonny  lassie,  O, 
On  thy  lover  at  this  hour,  bonny  lassie,  O, 
Ere  the  golden  orb  of  day. 
Wake  the  warblers  from  the  spray. 
From  this  land  I  must  away,  bonny  lassie,  O. 

And  when  on  a  distant  shore,  bonny  lassie,  O, 
Should  I  fall  'midst  battle's  roar,  bonny  lassie,  O, 

Will  you  Helen,  when  you  hear^ 

Of  your  lover  on  his  bier. 
To  his  memory  shed  a  tear,  bonny  lassie,  O, 

AULD  ROBIN  GR^Y. 

When  the  sheep  are  in  the  fauld,  and  the  kye  at 
hame. 

And  a'  the  world  to  sleep  are  gane  ; 
The  waes  o'  my  heart  fa'  in  showers  frae  my  e'e. 
While  my  gudeman  lies  sound  by  me. 
Young  Jamie  lo'ed  me  weel  and  he  sought  me  for 
his  bride ; 

But  saving  a  crown  he  had  naetbing  beside  ! 

To  mak  the  crown  a  pound,  my  Jamie  gaed  to  sea; 

And  the  crown  and  the  pound  were  baith  for  me. 


21 


liadna  been  gane  a  week  but  only  twa, 
^^lien  my  father  brake  his  arm,  and  our  cow  was 
stovvn  awa', 

ily  mother  she  fell  sick,  and  rny  Jamie  at  the  sea 
\.nd  auld  Robin  Gray  came  a-courting  to  me. 
tfy  fathre  couldna  work,  and  my  mother  doughtna 
spin  ; 

,  toil'd  day  and  night,  but  their  bread  I  couldna 
win  ; 

\.uld  Rob  maintained  them  baith,  and  wl'  tears  in 
his  e'c, 

!ald,  ^  Jenny,  for  their  sakes,  O  marry  me  ! 

^ly  heart  it  said  nay- — I  look'd  fo^r  Jamie  back  ; 
Jut  the  wind  it  blew  high,  and  the  ship  it  was  a 
wrack. 

The  ship  it  was  a  wrack,  why  didna  Jenny  dee  ? 
3h  !  why  was  I  spared  to  cry,  Wae^s  me  ! 
vly  father  urged  sair  ;  my  mither  didna  speak, 
5he  look'd  in  my  face  till  my  heart  was  like  to 
break, 

)0  they  gled  him  my  hand,  tho^  my  heart  was  at  the 
sea, 

nTow  auld  Robin  Gray  is  gudeman  to  me. 

.  hadna  been  a  wife  a  week  but  only  four, 

kVhen  sitting  sae  mournfully  ae  night  at  the  door, 

.  saw  my  Jamie wrailh,  for  I  couldna  think  it  he, 

[ill  he  said,  I'm  come  back,  love,  to  marry  thee, 

)  sair  did  we  greet,  and  muckle  did  we  say ; 

A^e  took  but  ae  kiss,  and  we  tore  ourselves  away. 

wished  I  were  dead ;  but  l^m  no  like  to  dee, 
Jh  I  why  do  I  live  to  say,  Wae's  me  ! 


22 


I  gang  like  a  ghalst,  and  I  carena  to  spin ;  I 
I  darena  think  on  Jamie,  for  that  would  be  a  sin ; 
But  1^11  do  my  Lest  a  gudevvife  to  be. 
For  auld  Robin  Gray  is  kind  to  me, 
*  Nae  langer  she  wept— her  tears  were  a  spent — 
Despair  it  was  come,  and  she  thought  it  content ; 
She  thought  it  content,  but  her  cheek  it  grew  pale. 
And  she  dropped  like  a  lily  broke  down  by  the  hail/ 

MY  LOVE  SHE^S  BUT  A  LASSIE  YET. 

My  love  she's  but  a  lassie  yet, 
My  love  she's  but  a  lassie  yet. 
We'll  let  her  stand  an  year  or  twa 
She'll  no  be  half  sae  sancy  yet, 

I  rue  the  day  I  sought  her  O 
1  rue  the  day  I  sought  her  O  ; 
Wha  gets  her  need  na  say  he's  woo'd. 
But  he  may  say  he's  bought  her  O 

Come  draw  a  drap  o*  the  best  o't  yet. 
Come  draw  a  drap  o*  the  best  o't  yet: 
Gae  seek  for  pleasure  whare  you  will. 
But  here  I  never  mist  it  yet. 

We're  a'  dry  wi'  the  drinking  o't. 
We're  a  dry  wi'  the  drinking  o*t. 
The  minister  kiss'd  the  fidler's  wife. 
And  couldna  preach  for  thinking  o^t. 

O'ER  THE  MOOR  AMONG  THE 
HEATHER. 


CoMiN  thro'  the  craigs  o'  Kyle, 
Amang  the  bonny  blooming  heather. 


23 


There  I  met  a  bonny  lassie. 
Keeping  a*  her  ewes  thegither, 
O^er  the  moor  amang  the  heather, 
O^er  the  moor  amang  the  heather. 
There  I  met  a  bonny  lassie. 
Keeping  a^  her  ewes  thegither. 

Says  I,  my  dear  where  is  thy  hame. 
In  moor  or  dale  pray  tell  me  whither  ? 
She  says,  I  tent  the  fleecy  flocks 
That  feed  among  the  blooming  heather 
O^er  the  moor,  &c. 

We  laid  ns  down  upon  a  bank, 
Sae  warm  and  sunny  was  the  weather 
She  left  her  flocks  at  large  to  rove 
Amang  the  bonny  blooming  heather. 
O'er  the  moor,  &c. 

"While  thus  we  lay,  she  sang  a  sang, 
Till  echo  rang  a  mile  and  farther. 
And  aye  the  burden  o'  the  sang 
Was  o'er  the  moor  amang  the  heather. 
O'er  the  moor,  &c. 

She  charm'd  my  heart,  and  aye  sinsyne, 
I  could  na  think  on  any  ither : 
By  sea  and  sky  she  shall  be  mine 
The  bonny  lass  amang  the  heather. 
O'er  the  mooi  &c. 

AULD  LANGSYNE. 

Should  auld  acquaintance  be  forgot, 
an'  never  brought  to  mind ; 


24 

Should  aiild  acquaintance  be  forget, 
An^  days  o'  langsyne. 

For  auld  langsyne,  my  dear. 

For  auld  langsyne  ; 
We'll  tak'  a  cup  o'  ki^'  dness  yet 

For  auld  langsyne. 

We  twa  hae  run  about  the  braes. 

an'  pu'd  the  gowans  fine  ; 
But  we've  wander'd  mony  a  weary  fitj 

sin'  auld  langsyne. 

&r  auld  langsyne,  8^c^  f  U  ]  ) 

We  twa  hae  paldel  t  in  the  burn, 
when  summer  days  were  prime  ; 

But  seas  between  us  braid  hae  roar'd, 
sin'  auld  langsyne, 
for  auld  langsyne,  &c. 

An'  there^s  ia  &nd,  my  trusty 'fri6iid/**  " 

and  gie^s  a  hand  o*^  thine, 
An*  we'll  toom  the  cup  to  friendship's  growth 

for  auld  langsyne, 

for  auld  langsyne,  Eic^ 

Aii^  surely  ye'll  be  your  pint-stou.pp 

as  sure  as  1*11  be  mine ; 
Aiid  we^ll  tak^  a  right  giulo  vv  JUie-wyught 
for  auld  langsyne. 

For  auld  langsyne,  my  dear, 
for  auld  langsyii^^V\  J^;l, ,  ^ 
We'll  tak*  a  cup  o'  kindness  yet 
'  for  vtrtd  lang^ynt!. 


