The Book of Scottish Song/Bonnie Mary Græme

Bonnie Mary Græme.

[From a volume of sweet and elegant poems published at Glasgow in 1842. under the title "Poems of Past Years. By James Parker."]

Oh! whar ha'e ye been roamin'—whar ha'e ye been roamin'—
Whar ha'e ye been roamin', bonnie Mary Græme
Whar ha'e ye been roamin' this cauld dowie gloamin'—
Whar ha'e ye been roamin', sae far awa' frae hame?
The tear is in your e'e—was't the pearly dew that sent it?—
It used na' sae to be, bonnie Mary Græme!
There's a glow on your cheek—was't the damask rose that lent it?—
O, what gars ye greet, or what gars ye think shame?

There's care upon your brow—ill fa' the hand that wrought it!
There's sorrow in your bosom, bonnie Mary Græme!
Sae blythsome as ye used to be, O, wha cou'd e'er ha'e thocht it!—
Somebody or ither has been sair—sair to blame!
Your step, that was sae lichtsome, gangs creepin' slow and eerie,
An' sair your voice is alter'd, bonnie Mary Græme!
A canker's in the bud that micht ha'e bloomed sae cheery,
Gin he had kept his faith to thee, bonnie Mary Græme!

---