National Lyrics, and Songs for Music/A Farewell to Abbotsford

For other versions of this work, see A Farewell to Abbotsford.






A FAREWELL TO ABBOTSFORD.




These lines were given to Sir Walter Scott, at the gate of Abbotsford, in the summer of 1829. He was then apparently in the vigour of an existence whose energies promised long continuance; and the glance of his quick, smiling eye, and the very sound of his kindly voice, seemed to kindle the gladness of his own sunny and benignant spirit in all who had the happiness of approaching him.


A FAREWELL TO ABBOTSFORD.




Home of the gifted! fare thee well,
    And a blessing on thee rest;
While the heather waves its purple bell
    O'er moor and mountain crest;
While stream to stream around thee calls,
    And braes with broom are drest,
Glad be the harping in thy halls—
    A blessing on thee rest!

While the high voice from thee sent forth,
    Bids rock and cairn reply,
Wakening the spirits of the North,
    Like a chieftain's gathering cry;

While its deep master-tones hold sway,
    As a king's o'er every breast,
Home of the Legend and the Lay!
    A blessing on thee rest.

Joy to thy hearth, and board, and bower!
    Long honours to thy line!
And hearts of proof, and hands of power,
    And bright names worthy thine!
By the merry step of childhood still
    May thy free sward be prest!
—While one proud pulse in the land can thrill,
    A blessing on thee rest!