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The songs and poems of Robert Tannahill

With biography, illustrations, and music
 
 

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54

O SAIR I RUE THE WITLESS WISH.

O sair I rue the witless wish,
That gar'd me gang wi' you at e'en,
And sair I rue the birken bush,
That screen'd us wi' its leaves sae green.
And though ye vow'd ye wad be mine,
The tear o' grief aye dims my e'e;
For O! I 'm fear'd that I may tine
The love that ye ha'e promised me!
While ithers seek their e'ening sports,
I wander, dowie, a' my lane,
For when I join their glad resorts,
Their daffing gi'es me meikle pain.
Alas! it wasna sae shortsyne,
When a' my nights were spent wi' glee;
But, O! I 'm fear'd that I may tine
The love that ye ha'e promised me.
Dear lassie, keep thy heart aboon,
For I ha'e wair'd my winter's fee,
I 've coft a bonnie silken gown,
To be a bridal gift for thee.
And sooner shall the hills fa' down,
And mountain-high shall stand the sea,
Ere I 'd accept a gowden crown,
To change that love I bear for thee.