The Book of Scottish Song/Farewell, ye haunts of joy

Farewell, ye haunts of joy.

[Words by Miss Janet Ryland.—Here first printed.]

Farewell, ye haunts of joy, farewell
Ye scenes of love and glee,
Oh bonnie groves o' Rosemount dell,
Ye'll smile nae mair for me;
I'm dreary now, I'm left alane,
Without a hope to ca' my ain,
The jewel o' my heart is gane
Far, far ayont the sea.

The last fond look my laddie gave,
The parting words he said,
I'll bear in mind till in my grave
My weary head is laid;
It may be fancy cheats my heart,
And pains my head wi' wily art,
But ah, wi' life I'll sooner part
Than break the vows we made.

It's sair to think on friendship fled,
And live while hope decays;
It's sair to seek amang the dead
The love o' early days;
But wha can thole the dreary gloom
That fills a lover's living tomb?
Oh wha can bide the bitter doom
That seals my nameless waes?

Ye stars and winds and things that guide
The wand'rer to his rest,
Ye cheer wi' dreams o' joyous pride
The weary-laden breast;
But ah! for me there shines nae ray
O' balmy hope's returning day,—
The tear o' death alone will say
My heart is in the West.

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