The Musical Charmer/Highland Mary

by Robert Burns

For other versions of this work, see Highland Mary (Burns).

HIGHLAND MARY.

Ye banks and braes, and streams around
the Castle o’ Montgomery,
Green be your woods, and fair your flow’rs;
your waters never drumlie:
There simmer first unfaulds her robes,
and there they langest tarry;
For there I took the last fareweel
of my dear Highland Mary.

How sweetly bloom’d the gay green birk!
How rich the hawthorn's blossom,
As underneath their fragrant shade,
I clasp’d her to my bosom!
The golden hours, on eagle-wings,
flew o'er me and my dearie;
For dear to me as light and life
was my sweet Highland Mary.

Wi’ mony a vow and lock’d embrace,
our parting was su’ tender!
And pledging aft to meet again,
we tore ourselves asunder
But oh! fell death’s untimely frost,
that nipt my flow'r so early;
Now green’s the sod, and cauld’s the clay
that wraps my Highland Mary.

O pale, pale now, those rosy lips,
I aft hae kiss’d sae fondly!
And clos d for ay the sparkling glance
that dwelt on me sae kindly!
And mould'ring now in silent dust,
that heart that lo’ed me dearly!
But still within my bosom’s care,
shall live my Highland Mary.

 

---

---