The Book of Scottish Song/Had I a cave

Had I a cave.

[Written by Burns for Thomson's collection, to the tune of "Robin Adair". The poet, in composing the song, had in his mind a passage in the history of his friend Cunningham, who was jilted by his sweetheart under peculiar circumstances of aggravation.]

Had I a cave on some wild distant shore,
Where the winds howl to the waves' dashing roar:
There would I weep my woes,
There seek my lost repose,
Till grief my eyes should close,
Ne'er to wake more.

Falsest of womankind, canst thou declare,
All thy fond-plighted vows—fleeting as air!
To thy new lover hie,
Laugh o'er thy perjury,
Then in thy bosom try
What peace is there!

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