The Book of Scottish Song/The Vale of Clyde

The Vale of Clyde.

[John Struthers.—Tune, "Gramachree."]

Admiring nature's simple charms,
I left my humble home,
Awhile my country's peaceful plains
With pilgrim step to roam:
I mark'd the leafy summer wave
On flowing Irvine's side,
But richer far's the robe she wears
Within the vale of Clyde.

I roam'd the braes of bonnie Doon,
The winding banks of Ayr,
Where flutters many a small bird gay,
Blooms many a flow'ret fair;
But dearer far to me the stem
That once was Calder's pride,
And blossoms now, the fairest flower,
Within the vale of Clyde.

Avaunt! thou life-repressing north!
Ye withering east winds too!
But come, thou all-reviving west,
Breathe soft thy genial dew;
Until at length, in peaceful age,
This lovely floweret shed
Its last green leaf upon my tomb,
Within the vale of Clyde.

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