Page:The Book of Scottish Song.djvu/87

Rh How bright is summer's beauty!

When, smilin' far an' near,

The wildest spots o' nature

Their gayest livery wear:

And yellow-cups, an' daisies

Are spread on ilka lea;

But the bonnie Redesdale lassie

Mair charming is to me.

O! sweet is mellow autumn!

When, wide owre a' the plain,

Slow waves in rustlin' motion

The heavy-headed grain;

Or in the sunshine glancin',

And rowin' like the sea;

Yet the bonnie Redesdale lassie

Is dearer far to me!

As heaven itsel', her bosom

Is free o' fraud or guile;

What hope o' future pleasure

Is centred in her smile!

I wadna lose for kingdoms

The love-glance o' her e'e;—

O! the bonnie Redesdale lassie

Is life and a' to me!

[ by the, to the tune of "Blue Bonnets over the Border." He himself says, it was "the most popular love song he ever wrote," but we think he is here mistaken.]

[ by, and printed, though probably not for the first time, in the Harp of Caledonia, vol. II. published at Glasgow in 1818.]

gowan glitters on the sward,

The lav'rock's in the sky,

And Colley on my plaid keeps ward,

And time is passing bye.

Oh, no! sad an' slow!

I hear nae welcome sound;

The shadow of our trystin' bush.

It wears sae slowly round!

My sheep-bell tinkles frae the west,

My lambs are bleating near,

But still the sound that I lo'e best,

Alack! I canna hear.

Oh, no! sad an' slow!

The shadow lingers still;

And like a lanely ghaist I stand,

And croon upon the hill.

I hear below the water roar,

The mill wi' clackin' din;

And Lucky scolding frae her door,

To bring the bairnies in.

Oh, no! sad an' slow!

These are nae sounds for me;

The shadow of our trystin' bush,

It creeps sae drearily.