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Songs

Chiefly in the Rural Language of Scotland. By Allan Cunningham
  
  

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THE BROKEN HEART.

SONG XXVII.

1

The primroses will blow in spring,
The merles pair, and linnets sing,
And joy return to every thing,
To every thing but me:

47

The break of the leaf, the rising flow'r,
The song of birds, the fresh'ning show'r,
Once o'er my mind held heavenly pow'r,
But now they're lost on me.

2

I'm fading away with the fa' o' the leaf,
I'm wearing down with mortal grief,
My heart to every joy is prief,
Woe's grown acquaint with me:
I loved a lady fair and meek,
The bud of the rose just 'gan to break,
Death pluck'd the blossom from her cheek,
And broke this heart to me.

3

Now who will keep my stately tow'rs,
My forests green, and budding bow'rs,
Rank spring the weeds amang the flow'rs,
Where my love wont to be:
Unreap'd the corn for me may fa',
Unpull'd the rose for me may blaw;
And owls roost in my painted ha',
And breed unharm'd by me.

4

The white lillie is sprung again,
The daisy buds 'mang sunny rain,
The small birds with melodious strain,
Green woods congratulate:

48

But, nor green wood, nor bird on wing,
To me my peace of mind can bring;
Soon o'er my grave may gay bird sing,
And woo his merry mate.