The Book of Scottish Song/The circle of Friendship

The circle of Friendship.

[Air, "The kail brose of auld Scotland."]

The cauld blasts o' winter blaw chill o'er the plain,
And nature grows pale 'neath the tyrant's domain;
We'll seek our lov'd cottage, and leave the bleak scene;
For there's nought like the circle of friendship
To brighten life's path with a smile.

The heart leaps wi' joy, by the canty fireside,
Surrounded by faces whose faith has been tried,
Where kind hospitality loves to preside;
For there's nought like the circle of friendship
To brighten life's path with a smile.

Tho' our table is spread with no Epicure's fare;
Tho' our wealth is but sma', we shall never despair,
While we just ha'e a plack wi' a neighbour to share;
Still we'll meet in the circle of friendship
And brighten life's path with a smile.

The nabob surrounded with splendour may pine;
For friends are but scanty where sycophants shine;—
Here the juice of the malt is as sweet as the vine;
And there's nought like the circle of friendship
To brighten life's path with a smile.

Let statesmen delight in the court's vain parade,
Where each plays for self in the great masquerade.—
Our pleasures tho' humble, we trust are repaid;
For there's nought like the circle of friendship
To brighten life's path with a smile.

While the coxcomb is lest in the butterfly throng,
Where the dance to the music is floating along;
We enjoy our bit crack, wi' a canty Scots song;
For there's nought like the circle of friendship
To brighten life's path with a smile.

Then blest be the faces that welcom'd me here,
Wherever I wander they'll ever be dear,—
While our glasses, at parting, will brim with a tear;
For there's nought like the circle of friendship
To brighten life's path with a smile.

---