The Book of Scottish Song/Sailor and Shepherdess
Sailor and Shepherdess.
[This appeared in one of the early Noctes Ambrosianæ of Blackwood's Magazine (the Royal Number of 1822.) It is probably from the pen of Professor Wilson.]
SAILOR.
When lightning parts the thunder-cloud,
That blackens all the sea,
And tempests sough through sail and shroud
Ev'n then I'll think on thee, Mary.
SHEPHERDESS.
I wrap me in that keepsake plaid,
And lie down amang the snaw;
While frozen are the tears I shed,
For him that's far awa, Willie!
SAILOR.
We sail past monie a bonnie isle;
Wi' maids the shores are thrang;
Before my e'e there's but ae smile,
Within my ear ae sang, Mary.
SHEPHERDESS.
In kirk, on every Sabbath-day
For ane on the great deep,
Unto my God I humbly pray—
And while I pray, I weep, Willie.
SAILOR.
The sands are bright wi' golden shells,
The groves wi' blossoms fair;
And I think upon the heather-bells,
That deck thy glossy hair, Mary.
SHEPHERDESS.
I read thy letters sent from far,
And aft I kiss thy name,
And ask my Maker, frae the war
If ever thou'lt come hame, Willie.
SAILOR.
What though your father's hut be lown
Aneath the green hill-side?
The ship that Willie sails in, blown
Like chaff by wind and tide, Mary?
SHEPHERDESS.
Oh! weel I ken the raging sea,
And a' the steadfast land,
Are held, wi' specks like thee and me,
In the hollow of His hand, Willie.
SAILOR.
He sees thee sitting on the brae,
Me hinging on the mast;
And o'er us baith, in dew or spray,
His saving shield is cast, Mary.