Auld Robin Gray (1825)/Second Continuation of Auld Robin Gray
SECOND CONTINUATION OF AULD ROBIN GRAY.
Sung by Jenny, softly, at her wheel.
I.
The wintry days grew lang, my tears they were a' spent;
May be it was despair I fancied was content.
They said my cheek was wan; I cou'dna look to see—
For, oh! the wee bit glass, my Jamie gaed it me.
II.
My father he was sad, my mother dull and wae;
But that which grieved me maist, it was Auld Robin Gray;
Though ne'er a word he said, his cheek said mair than a',
It wasted like a brae o'er which the torrents fa'.
III.
He gaed into his bed—nae physic wad he take;
And oft he moan'd, and said, "It's better, for her sake."
At length he look'd upon me, and call'd me his "ain dear,"
And beckon'd round the neighbours, as if his hour drew near.
IV.
"I've wrong'd her sair," he said, "but kent the truth o'er late;
Its grief for that alone that hastens now my date.
But a' is for the best, since death will shortly free
A young and faithful heart that was ill match'd wi' me.
V.
"I loo'd, and sought to win her for mony a lang day;
I had her parents' favour, but still she said me nay.
I knew na Jamie's luve; and oh! it's sair to tell—
To force her to be mine, I steal'd her cow mysel!
VI.
"O what cared I for Crummie! I thought of nought but thee.
I thought it was the cow stood 'twixt my luve and me.
While she maintain'd ye a', was you not heard to say,
That you wad never marry wi' Auld Robin Gray?
VII.
"But sickness in the house, and hunger at the door
My bairn gied me her hand, although her heart was sore.
I saw her heart was sore—why did I take her hand?
That was a sinfu' deed! to blast a bonnie land.
VIII.
"It wasna very lang ere a' did come to light;
For Jamie he came back, and Jenny's cheek grew white.
My spouse's cheek grew white, but true she was to me;
Jenny! I saw it a'—and oh, I'm glad to dee!
IX.
"Is Jamie come?" he said; and Jamie by us stood—
"Ye loo each other weel—Oh, let me do some good!
I gie you a', young man—my houses, cattle, kyne,
And the dear wife hersel, that ne'er should hae been mine."
X.
We kiss'd his clay-cold hands—a smile came o'er his face:
"He's pardon'd," Jamie said, "before the throne o' grace.
Oh, Jenny! see that smile—forgi'en I'm sure is he,
Wha could withstand temptation when hoping to win thee!'
XI.
The days at first were dowie; but what was sad and sair,
While tears were in my ee, I kent mysel nae mair;
For, oh! my heart was light as ony bird that flew,
And, wae as a' thing was, it had a kindly hue.
XII.
But sweeter shines the sun than e'er he shone before,
For now I'm Jamie's wife, and what need I say more?
We hae a wee bit bairn—the auld folks by the fire—
And Jamie, oh! he loo's me up to my heart's desire.