Quoth I, "My bird, my bonnie bonnie bird,
Is that a sang ye borrow,
Are these some words ye've learnt by heart,
Or a lilt o' dool an' sorrow?"
"Oh! no no no," the wee bird sang,
"I've flown sin' mornin' early,
But sic a day o' wind and rain—
Oh! wae's me for Prince Charlie!
"On hills that are, by right, his ain
He roves a lanely stranger,
On every side he's press'd by want,
On every side is danger;
Yestreen I met him in a glen,
My heart maist burstit fairly,
For sadly chang'd indeed was he—
Oh! wae's me for Prince Charlie!
"Dark night cam' on, the tempest roar'd
Loud o'er the hills an valleys,
An' whare was't that your Prince lay down
Whase hame should been a palace?
Ha row'd him in a Highland plaid,
Which cover'd him but sparely,
An' slept beneath a bush o' broom—
Oh! wae's me for Prince Charlie!"
But now the bird saw some red coats,
An' he sheuk his wings wi' anger,
"Oh! this is no a land for me,
I'll tarry here nae langer."
He hover'd on the wing a while
Ere he departed fairly,
But weel I mind the fareweel strain
Was, "Wae's me for Prince Charlie!"
The New Year.
[Inscribed to Joseph Train, Esq., by the author, William Dobie.—Tune, "Guid night and joy be wi' you a'."—Here first printed.]
Come—fill brimful the inspiring bowl,
We'll close this day in festive cheer;
Time out of mind old Scotia's sons
With mirth have hail'd the new-born year.
We all have weather'd many storms,
And safely now are landed here;
But who can tell to us 'tis given,
To meet and hail another year.
For low shall many a proud head lie,
And eyes be dim now sparkling clear;
And severed many a tender tie
Ere time revolve the infant year.
O memory! when my mind looks o'er
Thy records, often fall my tears,
For friends long lost, and vanish'd joys—
For loves and hopes of bygone years!
But why despond? sure 'tis unwise
To damp our present bliss with fear;
When Heaven commands we must depart,
And farewell bid life's fleeting year.
And now, my friends, may fav'ring heaven
My wishes for your welcome hear;
And health, and wealth, and happiness
Attend you still from year to year.
May peace and plenty bless your board,
And marriage crown with love sincere;
May joys unknown to anld langsyne,
Make this a happy, happy year!
Then fill the sparkling glasses full,
And drink to friends both far and near;—
Thus may we meet in joy to greet
The glad return of many a year.
The Woods of Dunmore.
[Music by James Jaap.]
This lone heart is thine, lassie, charming and fair,
This fond heart is thine, lassie dear;
Nae warld's gear ha'e I, nae oxen nor kye,
I've naething, dear lassie, but a puir heart to gi'e.
Yet dinna say me na,
But come awa',
And wander, dear lassie, 'mang the woods o' Dunmore,
And wander, dear lassie, 'mang the woods o' Dunmore.
O sweet is thy voice, lassie, charming an' fair,
Enchanting thy smile, lassie dear;
I'll toil aye for thee, for ae blink o' thine e'e
Is pleasure mair sweet than siller to me.
Yet dinna say me na, &c.
O come to my arms, lassie, charming an' fair,
Awa' wild alarms, lassie dear;
This fond heart an' thine like ivy shall twine,
I'll lo'e thee, dear, till the day that I dee.
O, dinna say me na, &c.
