 | The songs and poems of Robert Tannahill |  |
THE BARD OF GLENULLIN.
Though my eyes are grown dim, and my locks are turn'd gray,
I feel not the storms of life's bleak wintry day,
For my cot is well thatch'd, and my barns are full stor'd,
And cheerful Content still presides at my board:
Warm-hearted Benevolence stands at my door,
Dispensing her gifts to the wandering poor;
The glow of the heart does my bounty repay,
And lightens the cares of life's bleak wintry day.
I feel not the storms of life's bleak wintry day,
For my cot is well thatch'd, and my barns are full stor'd,
And cheerful Content still presides at my board:
Warm-hearted Benevolence stands at my door,
Dispensing her gifts to the wandering poor;
The glow of the heart does my bounty repay,
And lightens the cares of life's bleak wintry day.
From the summit of years I look down on the vale,
Where age pines in sorrow, neglected and pale;
There the sunshine of fortune scarce deigns to bestow
One heart-cheering smile to the wand'rers below.
From the sad dreary prospect this lesson I drew,
That those who are helpless are friended by few;
So, with vigorous industry, I smoothed the rough way
That leads through the vale of life's bleak wintry day.
Where age pines in sorrow, neglected and pale;
There the sunshine of fortune scarce deigns to bestow
One heart-cheering smile to the wand'rers below.
From the sad dreary prospect this lesson I drew,
That those who are helpless are friended by few;
So, with vigorous industry, I smoothed the rough way
That leads through the vale of life's bleak wintry day.
Then, my son, let the Bard of Glenullin advise
(For years can give counsel, experience makes wise):
'Midst thy wanderings, let honour for aye be thy guide,
O'er thy actions let honesty ever preside.
Then, though hardships assail thee, in virtue thou'lt smile,
For light is the heart that 's untainted with guile;
But, if Fortune attend thee, my counsels obey,
Prepare for the storms of life's bleak wintry day.
(For years can give counsel, experience makes wise):
'Midst thy wanderings, let honour for aye be thy guide,
O'er thy actions let honesty ever preside.
Then, though hardships assail thee, in virtue thou'lt smile,
For light is the heart that 's untainted with guile;
But, if Fortune attend thee, my counsels obey,
Prepare for the storms of life's bleak wintry day.
| The songs and poems of Robert Tannahill | |