The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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WHEN FIRST I SAW |
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
WHEN FIRST I SAW
Chorus
She's aye, aye sae blithe, sae gay,She's aye sae blithe and cheerie,
She's aye sae bonie, blithe and gay,
O, gin I were her dearie!
I
When first I saw fair Jeanie's face,I couldna tell what ail'd me:
My heart went fluttering pit-a-pat,
My een they almost fail'd me.
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All grace does round her hover!
Ae look depriv'd me o' my heart,
And I became her lover.
II
Had I Dundas's whole estate,Or Hopetoun's wealth to shine in;
Did warlike laurels crown my brow,
Or humbler bays entwining;
I'd lay them a' at Jeanie's feet,
Could I but hope to move her,
And, prouder than a belted knight,
I'd be my Jeanie's lover.
III
But sair I fear some happier swain,Has gain'd my Jeanie's favour.
If so, may every bliss be hers,
Though I maun never have her!
But gang she east, or gang she west,
'Twixt Forth and Tweed all over,
While men have eyes, or ears, or taste,
She'll always find a lover.
Chorus
She's aye, aye sae blithe, sae gay,She's aye sae blithe and cheerie,
She's aye sae bonie, blithe and gay,
O, gin I were her dearie!
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |