The Book of Scottish Song/O sair I rue

O sair I rue.

[Robert Tannahill.]

O sair I rue the witless wish,
That gar'd me gang wi' you at e'en,
And sair I rue the birken bush,
That screen'd us with its leaves sae green.
And though ye vow'd ye wad be mine,
The tear o' grief aye dims my e'e,
For, O! I'm fear'd that I may tyne
The love that ye ha'e promis'd me!

While ithers seek their e'ening sports,
I wander, dowie, a' my lane,
For when I join their glad resorts,
Their daffing gi'es me meikle pain.
Alas! it was na sae shortsyne,
When a' my nights were spent wi' glee;
But, O! I'm fear'd that I may tyne
The love that ye ha'e promis'd me.

Dear lassie, keep thy heart aboon,
For I ha'e wair'd my winter's fee,
I've coft a bonnie silken gown,
To be a bridal gift for thee.
And sooner shall the hills fa' down,
And mountain-high shall stand the sea,
Ere I'd accept a gowden crown,
To change that love I bear for thee.

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