The Book of Scottish Song/Blythe was she

Blythe was she.

[Written by Burns, in 1787, to the tune of "Andro and his cutty gun," and published in the second vol. of Johnson's Museum. "I composed these verses," says the poet, "while I strayed at Auchtertyre with Sir William Murray." The heroine was "Miss Euphemia Murray, commonly and deservedly called The Flower of Strathmore." Miss Murray was distinguished for her affability as well as beauty, and delighted in pointing out to the poet the romantic scenery of the banks of the Earn. She was married in 1794 to Lord Methven, a judge in the court of session.]

Blythe, blythe and merry was she,
Blythe was she but and ben,
Blythe by the banks of Earn,
And blythe in Glenturit glen.

By Ochtertyre there grows the aik
On Yarrow braes the birken shaw,
But Phemie was a bonnier lass
Than braes o' Yarrow ever saw.

Her looks were like a flower in May,
Her smile was like a simmer morn;
She tripped by the banks o' Earn,
As light's a bird upon a thorn.

Her bonnie face it was as meek,
As onie lamb upon a lee;
The evening sun was ne'er sae sweet
As was the blink o' Phemie's e'e.

The Highland hills I've wander'd wide,
And o'er the Lawlands I ha'e been;
But Phemie was the blythest lass,
That ever trod the dewy green.

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