The Book of Scottish Song/Loch-Erroch Side

Loch-Erroch Side.

[The tune called "Loch-Erroch Side" is altered from an older air called "I'm ower young to marry yet," (see p. 123.) Loch-Erroch or Ericht is a large lake in Perthshire. The words of the present song are said to be by James Tytler, author of "The bonnie brucket lassie," &c. Tytler was the son of a clergyman at Brechin, and though educated first for the church, and afterwards for the medical profession, he was mainly employed thrcugh life in literary and chemical speculations. He died in Massachusetts, North America, in 1805, aged 58. He was commonly called Balloon Tytler, from having been the first in Scotland who ascended in a fire balloon upon the plan of Montgolfier.]

As I cam' by Loch-Erroch side,
The lofty hills surveying,
The water clear, the heather blooms,
Their fragrance sweet conveying,
I met, unsought, my lovely maid,
I found her like May morning;
With graces sweet, and charms so rare,
Her person all adorning.

How kind her looks, how blest was I,
While in my arms I prest her!
And she her wishes scarce conceal'd,
As fondly I caress'd her:
She said, If that your heart be true,
If constantly you'll love me,
I heed not care nor fortune's frowns,
For nought but death shall move me.

But faithful, loving, true, and kind,
For ever thou shalt find me;
And of our meeting here so sweet,
Loch-Erroch sweet shall mind me.
Enraptured then, My lovely lass,
I cried, no more we'll tarry!
Well leave the fair Loch-Erroch side,
For lovers soon should marry.

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