Cream of Tannahill's Songs (3)/Loudon's Bonny Woods and Braes

by Robert Tannahill

For other versions of this work, see Loudon's Bonny Woods and Braes.

LOUDON'S BONNY WOODS AND BRAES.

Loudon's bonnie woods and braes,
I maun lea' them a' Lassie;
Wha can thole when Britain's faes
Would gi'e Briton's laws, Lassie?
Wha wad shun the field of danger?
Wha frae Fame would live a stranger?
Now when Freedom bids avenge her,
Wha would shun her ca', Lassie?
Loudon's bonny woods and braes
Ha'e seen our happy bridal days,
And gentle Hope shall sooth thy waes
When I am far awa', Lassie.

Hark! the swelling bugle sings,
Yielding joy to thee, Laddie,
But the doleful bugle brings
Waefu' thoughts to me, Laddie.
Lonely I may climb the mountain,
Lonely stray beside the fountain,
Still the weary moments countin',
Far frae Love and thee, Laddie.
O'er the gory fields of war,
When vengeance drives his crimson car,
Thou'lt may be fa' frae me afar
And nane to close thy e'e, Laddie.

O resume thy wonted smile,
O suppress thy fears, Lassie,
Glorious Honour crowns the toil
That the soldier shares, Lassie
Heav'n will shield thy faithful lover,
'Till the vengeful strife is over,
Then we'll meet, nae mair to sover,
'Till the day we die, Lassie;
'Midst our bonny woods and braes
We'll spend our peaceful happy days,
As blythe's yon lightsome lamb that plays
On London's flow'ry lea, Lassie.