The Book of Scottish Song/The Lass of Pittenweem

The Lass of Pittenweem.

[Captain Charles Gray.—Air, "Johnnie's grey breeks."]

The sun looked through an evening cloud,
His golden rays glanced o'er the plain;
The lark upsprung, and caroll'd loud
Her vesper hymn of sweetest strain.
Far in the east the rainbow glow'd
In painted lines of liquid light;
Now all its vivid colours show'd—
Wax'd faint—then vanish'd from the sight!

As forth I walked, in pensive mood,
Down by yon ancient abbey wall,
Gay spring her vesture had renew'd,
And loud was heard the partridge' call;
The blackbird's song rang through the wood,
Rich in the red sun's parting gleam;
When fair before me, smiling, stood
The lovely lass of Pittenweem.

O I have wandered far and wide,
And ladies seen 'neath brighter skies,
Where trees shoot up in balmy pride,
And golden domes and spires arise;—
But here is one to my surprise,
Sweet aa a youthful poet's dream;
With love enthroned in her dark eyes—
The lovely lass of Pittenweem!

"Where dost thou wander, charming maid,
Now evening's shades begin to fall?"—
"To view fair nature's face," she said.
"For nature's charms are free to all!"—
"Speak ever thus in nature's praise;
Thou giv'st to me a darling theme,
On thee I'll lavish all my lays,
Thou lovely lass of Pittenweem!"

There is a magic charm in youth,
By which the heart of age is won;
That charm is innocence and truth,
And beauty is its summer sun!
Long may it shine on that fair face,
Where rosy health and pleasure beam;
Long lend its magic spell to grace
The lovely lass of Pittenweem.

---