The Book of Scottish Song/Despairing Mary

For other versions of this work, see Despairing Mary.
2269641The Book of Scottish Song — Despairing Mary1843Robert Tannahill

Despairing Mary.

[Tannahill.—Set to music by R. A. Smith.—Smith says, "The music published with this song was originally composed to other words, but Tannihill took a fancy to the air, and immediately wrote 'Despairing Mary' for it, which, being the better song, was adopted."]

"Mary, why thus waste thy youth-time in sorrow?
See, a' around you the flowers sweetly blaw;
Blythe sets the sun o'er the wild cliffs of Jura,
Blythe sings the mavis in ilka green shaw."
"How can this heart ever mair think of pleasure?
Summer may smile, but delight I ha'e nane;
Cauld in the grave lies my heart's only treasure,
Nature seems dead since my Jamie is gane.

"This 'kerchief he gave me, a true lover's token,
Dear, dear to me was the gift for his sake!
I wear't near my heart, but this poor heart is broken,
Hope died with Jamie, and left it to break:
Sighing for him, I lie down in the e'ening,
Sighing for him, I awake in the morn;
Spent are my days a' in secret repining,
Peace to this bosom can never return.

"Oft have we wander'd in sweetest retirement,
Telling our loves 'neath the moon's silint beam,
Sweet were our meetings of tender endearment,
But fled are these joys like a fleet-passing dream.
Cruel remembrance, in pity forsake me,
Brooding o'er joys that for ever are flown!
Cruel remembrance, in pity forsake me,
Flee to some bosom where grief is unknown!"