The Book of Scottish Song/The midges dance

For other versions of this work, see "The Midges Dance Aboon the Burn".

The midges dance.

[Robt. Tannahill.—Air, "The Shepherd's Son."]

The midges dance aboon the burn,
The dews begin to fa',
The pairtricks down the rushy holm,
Set up their e'ening ca'.
Now loud and clear the blackbird's sang
Rings through the briery shaw,
While flitting, gay, the swallows play
Around the castle wa'.

Beneath the golden gloaming sky,
The mavis mends her lay,
The redbreast pours his sweetest strains,
To charm the ling'ring day,
While weary yeldrins seem to wail
Their little nestlings torn,
The merry wren, frae den to den,
Gaes jinking through the thorn.

The roses fauld their silken leaves,
The foxglove shuts its bell,
The honeysuckle, and the birk,
Spread fragrance through the dell.
Let others crowd the giddy court
Of mirth and revelry,
The simple joys that nature yields
Are dearer far to me.

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