The Soldier's Return

When wild war's deadly blast was blawn, And gentle peace returning, Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless, And mony a widow mourning; I left the lines and tented field, Where lang I'd been a lodger, My humble knapsack a' my wealth, A poor but honest sodger.

A leal, light heart was in my breast, My hand unstain'd wi' plunder; And for fair Scotia, hame again, I cheery on did wander: I thought upon the banks o' Coil, I thought upon my Nancy, I thought upon the witching smile That caught my youthful fancy.<BR><BR>

At length I reach'd the bonie glen,<BR> Where early life I sported;<BR> I pass'd the mill and trysting thorn,<BR> Where Nancy aft I courted:<BR> Wha spied I but my ain dear maid,<BR> Down by her mother's dwelling!<BR> And turn'd me round to hide the flood<BR> That in my e'en was swelling.<BR><BR>

Wi' alter'd voice, quoth I, "Sweet lass,<BR> Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom,<BR> O! happy, happy may he be,<BR> That's dearest to thy bosom:<BR> My purse is light, I've far to gang,<BR> And fain wad be thy lodger;<BR> I've serv'd my king and country lang-<BR> Take pity on a sodger."<BR><BR>

Sae wistfully she gaz'd on me,<BR> And lovelier was than ever;<BR> Quo' she, "A sodger ance I lo'ed,<BR> Forget him shall I never:<BR> Our humble cot, and hamely fare,<BR> Ye freely shall partake it;<BR> That gallant badge-the dear cockade,<BR> Ye're welcome for the sake o't."<BR><BR>

She gaz'd-she redden'd like a rose -<BR> Syne pale like only lily;<BR> She sank within my arms, and cried,<BR> 'Art thou my ain dear Willie?'<BR> 'By him who made yon sun and sky!<BR> By whom true love's regarded,<BR> I am the man; and thus may still<BR> True lovers be rewarded.<BR><BR>

'The wars are o'er, and I'm come hame,<BR> And find thee still true-hearted;<BR> Tho' poor in gear, we're rich in love,<BR> And mair we'se ne'er be parted.'<BR> Quo' she, "My grandsire left me gowd,<BR> A mailen plenish'd fairly;<BR> And come, my faithfu' sodger lad,<BR> Thou'rt welcome to it dearly!"<BR><BR>

For gold the merchant ploughs the main,<BR> The farmer ploughs the manor;<BR> But glory is the sodger's prize,<BR> The sodger's wealth is honor:<BR> The brave poor sodger ne'er despise,<BR> Nor count him as a stranger;<BR> Remember he's his country's stay,<BR> In day and hour of danger. <BR><BR>