The Book of Scottish Song/The Braes o' Bedlay
The Braes o’ Bedlay.
[Written by Walter Watson, weaver at Chryston, in Stirlingshire, and author of the popular songs, "Sae will we yet," and "Jockie 's far awa'." The braes of Bedlay are situated near Chryston, about seven miles to the north of Glasgow.—Tune, "Hills of Glenorchy."]
When I think on the sweet smiles o' my lassie,
My cares flee awa' like a thief frae the day:
My heart loups light, an' I join in a sang
Amang the sweet birds on the braes o' Bedlay:
How sweet the embrace, yet how honest the wishes,
When luve fa's a-wooin', an' modesty blushes,
Whar Mary an' I meet amang the green bushes,
That screen us sae weel on the braes o' Bedlay.
There's nane sae trig, or sae fair, as my lassie,
An' mony a wooer she answers wi' Nay,
Wha fain wad ha'e her to lea'e me alane,
An' meet me nae mair on the braes o' Bedlay.
I fearna, I carena, their braggin' o' siller,
Nor a' the fine things they can think on to tell her;
Nae vauntin' can buy her, nae threat'nin' can sell her,
It's luve leads her out to the braes o' Bedlay.
We'll gang by the links o' the wild rowin' burnie,
Whar aft in my mornin' o' life I did stray,
Whar luve was invited and care was beguil'd,
By Mary an' me, on the braes o' Bedlay:
Sae lovin', sae movin', I'll tell her my story,
Unmix't wi' the deeds o' ambition for glory,
Whar wide spreadin' hawthorns, sae ancient and hoary,
Enrich the sweet breeze on the braes o' Bedlay.