The Soldier's Departure/The Bud on the Brier

by Anonymous

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THE BUD ON THE BRIER.

The bud on the brier it is bonnie enough,
An' sae is the flow'r on the ha' lass:
How sweet shines the red setting sun in the stream,
But thou art the sweetest of a' lass:

The lavrock on the lea, lass,
The lintie on the tree, lass;
The mavies aft renews her sang,
But nane o' them sings like thee, lass.

The meeting o' friends may be happy, I own,
An' blinks o' content gie us a', lass;
But rapture ne'er comes frae the ee to the heart,
Save only when love gies the law, lass.

The bottle has its charm, lass,
Which toil an' care disarm, lass;
But lasting pleasure ne'er is found,
Till love the bosom warm, lass.

In conquering kingdoms let tyrants unite
An' patriots fight to be free, lass;
But conquering canna gie them the delight
I hae being conqu'red by thee, lass.

For freedom's but a name, lass.
And slavery's just the same, lass;
I'll wear thy chain wi' a' my heart,
Gif ye will be my ain, lass.

The love melting kiss that I steal frae thy lips
Will keep me ay constant and true, lass,
An' ilk coming day be mair West than the past
An' ilka endearment renew, lass.

Then time may flee like wind, lass;
Its loss we ne'er shall find, lass;
The rose shat fades upon thy check,
Will flourish in thy mind, lass.