The Book of Scottish Song/Lassie wi' the raven locks
Lassie wi’ the raven locks.
[A. Fletcher, schoolmaster, Dunoon, Argyleshire.—Tune, "Lassie wi' the lint-white locks."]
Lassie wi' the raven locks,
Charming lassie, Highland lassie;
Gladly wad I tend thy flocks,
Bonnie Highland Mary, O.
Where Echaig Joins the briny tide,
And Cowal's hills spread far and wide,
Alang the winding banks o' Clyde,
I met wi' Highland Mary, O.
Lassie wi", &c.
Her foot sae neatly mark'd the sand,
An' gently waved her lily hand,
As, slow, she traced the sea-beat strand,
The lovely Highland Mary, O.
Lassie wi', &c.
How mildly glanced her hazel e'e!
Like sunbeams on the dewy lea:—
It, stowlins, wiled the heart frae me,
The witching smile of Mary, O.
Lassie wi', &c.
Her eye-brows of a jetty-hue;
Her lips "like rose-buds moist wi' dew;"
A sweeter face ne'er bless'd my view
Than youthfu' Highland Mary's, O.
Lassie wi', &c.
Though pure the flowers that blaw unseen
Amang her native woodlands green,
Yet purer far's the heart, I ween,
Of artless Highland Mary, O.
Lassie wi', &c.
Let others range frae isle to isle,
Where never-ending simmers smile:—
Mair dear the groves o' Ballochyle,
That shelter Highland Mary, O.
Lassie wi', &c.
I'd cheerfu' toil frae dawn o' day,
O'er yon lone glen and ferny brae,
Could I but get, by gloaming grey,
Ae blythsome blink o' Mary, O.
Lassie wi', &c.
O may nae cloud the sun o'ercast,
To chill this floweret's snawie breast!
Nae reptile's breath untimely blast
The op'ning bloom of Mary,!
Lassie wi', &c.