The Book of Scottish Song/When gowans sprinkl'd

When gowans sprinkl’d.

[James Fraser.—Air, "Kind Robin lo'es me."]

When gowans sprinkl'd a' the lea,
An' blossoms hung on ilka tree,
'Twas then my Jeanie's saft blue e'e
Shot a' its witchery through me.
I felt—I wonder'd at the smart,
New wishes floated roun' my heart—
Ah! little kenn'd I 'twas a dart
That's fated to undo me.

Through lanely glen and greenwood shaw
I stole frae heartless mirth awa',
Or wander'd heedless o' the snaw,
That heap'd its wraiths around me:
But still I felt I kenn'd nae what,
Nor wist I what I would be at;
And aftentimes my cheek was wat,
Though stars shone clear aboon me.

And when a sidelang stowan glance
I took, as if't might seem by chance,
My very bluid was in a dance—
My heart lap sae within me.
Her voice was music in my ear—
Her lip I daur'd na touch for fear,
But O methought the hinny pear
Less sweetness had to win me.

O Jeanie! dinna think I'm cauld,
When ither lads may be mair bauld;
True love like mine can ne'er be tauld—
'Tis constancy maun prove me.
Tour hair I'll braid wi' spring's young flow'rs,
I'll shade you cool in simmer bow'rs,
An' a' the winter's lang cauld hours
Nae blast shall ever move ye.

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