Six Excellent Songs (Newton Stewart)/The Highland Plaid

by Robert Tannahill

For other versions of this work, see The Highland Plaid.

THE HIGHLAND PLAID.

 

Lowland lassie, wilt thou go
Where the hills are clad wi' snow;
Where beneath the icy steep,
The hardy shepherd tends his sheep?
Ill nor wae ahall thee betide,
When row'd within my Highland plaid.

Soon the voice of cheery spring
Will gar a' our plantings ring;
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 simmer spreads the flower's.
Busk's the glen in leafy bowr's,
Then we'll seek thee caller shade,
Lean us on the primrose bed:
While the burning hours preside.
I'll screen thee wi' my Highland plaid,

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 chily breezes sweep the tide,
I'll hap thee wi' my Highland plaid.

Lowland lads may dress mair fine,
Woo in words mair saft than mine;
Lowland lads hae mair of art,
A' my boast's an honest heart,
Whilk shall ever be my pride;
O row thee in my Highland plaid.

Bonny lad, ye've been sae leal,
My heart would break at our farewell;
Lang your love has made me fain,
Take me, take me for your ain!
'Cross the Frith, away then glide,
Young Donald and his Lowland bride.