LAMENT FOR ABERCROMBIE.
When Nature with wild flowers bespangled the mountains,
And meadows displayed a' their charms to the bee,
When pure gush'd the rills by their grass-bordered fountains
And saft sough'd the wind thro' the bloom-laden tree;
Beneath yon auld aik on the green banks o' Clouden
Where aft in the gloamin' I wander’d to rave.
Auld Malcolm was seen o'er his scars fondly broodin'
Lamenting a warrior laid cauld in the grave.
And meadows displayed a' their charms to the bee,
When pure gush'd the rills by their grass-bordered fountains
And saft sough'd the wind thro' the bloom-laden tree;
Beneath yon auld aik on the green banks o' Clouden
Where aft in the gloamin' I wander’d to rave.
Auld Malcolm was seen o'er his scars fondly broodin'
Lamenting a warrior laid cauld in the grave.
He stood by the stream, on a strong claymore leaning,
Like ane whase sad bosom o' sorrow is fou'
He strade o'er the gowans fu' mour'fully moaning,
And straight frae his scabbard his broad sword he drew,
'Fareweel dear renown cried the auld lyart vet'ran
For Malcolm nae mair shall be seen on the field.
Wi' death warsling dourly, his faes bravely scatterin'
The sword o' a sodger his arm down a wield.
Like ane whase sad bosom o' sorrow is fou'
He strade o'er the gowans fu' mour'fully moaning,
And straight frae his scabbard his broad sword he drew,
'Fareweel dear renown cried the auld lyart vet'ran
For Malcolm nae mair shall be seen on the field.
Wi' death warsling dourly, his faes bravely scatterin'
The sword o' a sodger his arm down a wield.
'But here tho' he wanders, wi' eild heavy laden,
And joyless gaes hirplin' down life's briery brae,
He ance strade to glory, through blood bravely wadin'
Whar great Abercromby, his chief, led the way.
Illustrious leader! now stalking wi' heroes
Wha bled for our country, our king, and our laws,
When Freedom unfurls her banner be near us,
And rouse Scottish valour to stand in her cause.
And joyless gaes hirplin' down life's briery brae,
He ance strade to glory, through blood bravely wadin'
Whar great Abercromby, his chief, led the way.
Illustrious leader! now stalking wi' heroes
Wha bled for our country, our king, and our laws,
When Freedom unfurls her banner be near us,
And rouse Scottish valour to stand in her cause.
'By thee led to victory, the sodger undaunted,
In wild transport fir'd at the loud shouts o' war,
O,er heaps rush'd to glory, the breach boldly mounted,
Though death arm'd wi' terror, his courage to scaur.
Auld Scotia may lang on the heath wander cheerless,
And mourn as she sits by the sad sounding wave,
The prime o’ her warriors intrepid and fearless,
The brave Abercrombie, lies cauld in the grave!
In wild transport fir'd at the loud shouts o' war,
O,er heaps rush'd to glory, the breach boldly mounted,
Though death arm'd wi' terror, his courage to scaur.
Auld Scotia may lang on the heath wander cheerless,
And mourn as she sits by the sad sounding wave,
The prime o’ her warriors intrepid and fearless,
The brave Abercrombie, lies cauld in the grave!