The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 100

Tune-"_An Gille dubh ciar dhubh._"

[The air of this song was picked up by the poet in one of his northern tours: his Highland excursions coloured many of his lyric compositions.]

I.

Stay, my charmer, can you leave me?

Cruel, cruel, to deceive me!

Well you know how much you grieve me; Cruel charmer, can you go?

Cruel charmer, can you go?

II.

By my love so ill requited; By the faith you fondly plighted; By the pangs of lovers slighted; Do not, do not leave me so!

Do not, do not leave me so!

XL.

THICKEST NIGHT, O'ERHANG MY DWELLING.

Tune--"_Strathallan's Lament._"

[The Viscount Strathallan, whom this song commemorates, was William Drummond: he was slain at the carnage of Culloden. It was long believed that he escaped to France and died in exile.]

I.

Thickest night, surround my dwelling!

Howling tempests, o'er me rave!

Turbid torrents, wintry swelling, Roaring by my lonely cave!

II.

Crystal streamlets gently flowing, Busy haunts of base mankind, Western breezes softly blowing, Suit not my distracted mind.

III.

In the cause of Right engaged, Wrongs injurious to redress, Honour's war we strongly waged, But the heavens denied success.

IV.

Ruin's wheel has driven o'er us, Not a hope that dare attend, The wild world is all before us-- But a world without a friend.

XLI.

MY HOGGIE.

Tune--"_What will I do gin my Hoggie die?_"

[Burns was struck with the pastoral wildness of this Liddesdale air, and wrote these words to it for the Museum: the first line only is old.]

What will I do gin my Hoggie die?

My joy, my pride, my Hoggie!

My only beast, I had nae mae, And vow but I was vogie!

The lee-lang night we watch'd the fauld, Me and my faithfu' doggie; We heard nought but the roaring linn, Amang the braes sae scroggie; But the houlet cry'd frae the castle wa', The blitter frae the boggie, The tod reply'd upon the hill, I trembled for my Hoggie.

When day did daw, and c.o.c.ks did craw, The morning it was foggie; An' unco tyke lap o'er the d.y.k.e, And maist has kill'd my Hoggie.

XLII.

HER DADDIE FORBAD.

Tune--"_Jumpin' John._"

[This is one of the old songs which Ritson accuses Burns of amending for the Museum: little of it, however, is his, save a touch here and there--but they are Burns's touches.]

I.

Her daddie forbad, her minnie forbad; Forbidden she wadna be: She wadna trow't, the browst she brew'd Wad taste sae bitterlie.

The lang lad they ca' jumpin' John Beguiled the bonnie la.s.sie, The lang lad they ca' Jumpin' John Beguiled the bonnie la.s.sie.

II.

A cow and a cauf, a yowe and a hauf, And thretty gude shillin's and three; A vera gude tocher, a cotter-man's dochter, The la.s.s wi' the bonnie black e'e.

The lang lad they ca' Jumpin' John Beguiled the bonnie la.s.sie, The lang lad they ca' Jumpin' John Beguiled the bonnie la.s.sie.

XLIII