The Poetical Works of Robert Burns/The Highland Widow's Lament
For other versions of this work, see The Highland Widow's Lament.
THE HIGHLAND WIDOW'S LAMENT.
Oh! I am come to the low countrie,Och-on, och-on, och-rie!Without a penny in my purse,To buy a meal to me.
It was nae sae in the Highland hills,Och-on, och-on, och-rie!Nae woman in the country wideSae happy was as me.
For then I had a score o' kye,Och-on, och-on, och-rie!Feeding on yon hills so high,And giving milk to me.
And there I had three score o' yowes,Och-on, och-on, och-rie!Skipping on yon bonie knowes,And casting woo' to me.
I was the happiest of the clan,Sair, sair may I repine;For Donald was the brawest lad,And Donald he was mine.
Till Charlie Stewart cam at last,Sae far to set us free;My Donald's arm was wanted then,For Scotland and for me.
Their waefu' fate what need I tell,Right to the wrang did yield:My Donald and his country fellUpon Culloden's field.
Oh! I am come to the low countrie,Och-on, och-on, och-rie!Nae woman in the world wideSae wretched now as me.