A Highland Regiment/The Waiting Wife
THE WAITING WIFE
OUT on the hillside the wild birds crying,
A little low wind and the white clouds flying,
A little low wind from the southward blowing.
What should I know of its coming and going?
Over the battle the shrapnel crying
A tune of lament for the dead and the dying,
And a little low wind that is moaning and weeping
For the mouths that are cold and the brave hearts sleeping.
I and my man were happy together
In the summer days and the warm June weather —
What is the end of our laughter and singing?
A little low wind from the southward winging.
The hearth is cold and my house is lonely,
And nothing for me but waiting only,
Feet round the house that come into it never,
And a voice in the wind that is silent for ever.
Golspie, 1915