Page:Braes of Balquither.pdf/6



D by the wanning moon, When skies proclaim night’s cheerless noon, On tower, fort, or tented ground, The sentry walks his lonely round, And should some footstep haply stray, Where caution marks the guarded way: “Who goes there? Stranger—quickly tell;” ‘A friend—the word—good night—all’s well.’

Or sailing on the midnight deep, While weary messmates soundly sleep, The careful watch patroles the deck, To guard the ship from foes or wreck, And while his thoughts oft homeward veer, Some well known voice salutes his ear, “What cheer ho brother—quickly tell,” “Above—Below—good night—All’s Well.”

O whare gat ye that bonny blue bannet? O silly blind body canna ye see? I gat it frae a bonny Scots callan, Atween Saint Johnstone and bonny Dundee. And O, gin I saw but the laddie that gae me’t! Fu’ aft has he doudl’d me upon his knee;