The Book of Scottish Song/Alloa House

Alloa House.

[Written by Dr. Alexander Webster, one of the ministers of Edinburgh. The tune is by Oswald. Dr. Webster was born at Edinburgh in 1707, and died there in 1784, in the 51st year of his ministry.]

The spring-time returns, and clothes the green plains,
And Alloa shines more cheerful and gay,
The lark tunes his throat, and the neighbouring swains,
Sing merrily round me wherever I stray:
But Sandy nae mair returns to my view;
Nae spring-time me cheers, nae music can charm;
I He's gane! and, I fear me, for ever: adieu!
Adieu every pleasure this bosom can warm!

O All'ja house! how much art thou chang'd!
How silent, how dull to me is each grove!
Alane I here wander where ance we both rang'd,
Alas! where to please me my Sandy ance strove!
Here, Sandy, I heard the tales that you tauld,
Here list'ned too fond whenever you sung;
Am I grown less fair then, that you are turn'd cauld?
Or, foolish, believ'd a false flattering tongue?

So spoke the fair maid, when sorrow's keen pain,
And shame, her last fault'ring accents supprest;
For fate, at that moment, brought back her dear swain,
Who heard, and with rapture his Nelly addrest:
My Nelly I my fair, I come; O my love!
Nae power shall thee tear again from my arms,
And, Nelly! nae mair thy fond shepherd reprove,
Who knows thy fair worth, and adores a' thy charms.

She heard; and new joy shot thro' her saft frame;
And will you, my love! be true? she replied:
And live I to meet my fond shepherd the same?
Or dream I that Sandy will make me his bride?
O Nelly! I live to find thee still kind:
Still true to thy swain, and lovely as true:
Then adieu to a' sorrow; what soul is so blind,
As not to live happy for ever with you?

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