The Book of Scottish Song/My ain countrie

My ain countrie.

[Tune, "The Briar Bush."—This and the two following pieces are from a small volume by Alexander Maclaggan, which contains much genuine and vigorous poetry. The volume is entitled, "Poems and Songs, Scotch and English," and was published at Edinburgh in 1841.]

How are ye a' at hame
In my ain countrie?
Are your kind hearts aye the same
In my ain countrie?
Are ye aye as fu' o' glee,
As witty, frank, and free,
As kind's ye used to be,
In my ain countrie?

Oh! a coggie I will fill
To my ain countrie!
Ay, and toom it wi' good will
To my ain countrie!
Here's to a' the folk I ken,
'Mang the lasses and the men,
In ilk canty but an' ben
O' my ain countrie!

Heaven watch thou ever o'er
My ain countrie!
Let tyrants never more
Rule my ain countrie!
May her heroes, dear to thee—
The bauld hearts and the free—
Be ready aye to dee
For my ain countrie!

May a blessin' light on a'
In my ain countrie!
Baith the great folk and the sma',
In my ain countrie!
On whatever sod I kneel,
Heaven knows I ever feel
For the honour and the weal
O' my ain countrie!

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