A Highland Regiment/Vale Atque Ave

S it good-bye for ever For us beneath the sun ? The lads and girls go over, With every girl a lover, And never a lonely one, But I shall see you never Till all my days are done.

I could not read your letter, I could not think it true, Seeing the lands and hedges And the long naked ridges And skies serene and blue. Though worse should come or better I walk no more with you.

And I saw the winter weather And the joyous days of spring. In all the years before us God knows what fate hangs o'er us, What good or evil thing, But we'll walk no more together Whatever time may bring.

Love is not dead but sleeping, Youth is not spent in vain. Another hand will hold me, And other arms enfold me. To feel in every vein The blood of youth go leaping ; But you come not again.

You've gone, and with you flying The grace of life is past. And I go robbed and wanting Till with a little panting My labouring life ebbs fast, And I look up in dying And see you at the last.