The Lass of Ballochmyle (1819)/Fairest of the Fair

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see Oh! Nanny Wil't Thou Gang Wi' Me?.

FAIREST OF THE FAIR

O Nannie, wilt thou gang wi' me,
Nor sigh to leave the flaunting town;
Can silent glens have charms for thee,
The low y cut and russet gown?
Nae langer drest in silken sheen,
Nae langer decked wi' jewels rare,
Say canst thou quit each courtly scene,
Where thou wast fairest of the fair?

O Nannie, when thou'rt far awa,
Wilt thou not cast a look behind?
Say canst thou face the flaky snaw,
Nor shrink before the warping wind?
O can that saft and gentlest mien,
Severest hardships learn to bear,
Nor sad regret each courtly scene,
Where thou wast fairest of the fair.

O Nannie canst thou love so true,
Thro' perils keen wi‘ me to gae?
Or when thy swain mishap shall rue,
To share with him the pang of wae.
And when invading pains befal,
Wilt thou assume the nurse's care,
Nor wishful those gay scenes recal,
Where thou wast fairest of the fair?

And when at last thy love shall die,
Wilt thou receive his parting breath?
Wilt thou repress each struggling sigh,
And cheer with smiles the bed of death?
And wilt thou over his much loved clay,
Strew flowers, and drop the tender tear?
Nor then regret those scenes so gay,
Where thou wast fairest of the fair?