The Minstrel At Lincluden

Melody - "Cumnock Psalms"

Robert Burns, 1794

As I stood by yon roofless tower,
Where the wa'flow'r scents the dery air,
Where the howlet mourns in her ivy bower,
And tells the midnight moon her care.
Chorus:
A lassie all alone, was making her moan,
Lamenting our lads beyond the sea:
In the bluidy wars they fa',
And our honour's gane an' a',
And broken-hearted we maun die.

2. The winds were laid, the air was till,
The stars they shot along the sky;
The tod was howling on the hill,
And the distant-echoing glens reply.
Chorus:

3. The burn, adown its hazelly path,
Was rushing by the ruin'd wa',
Hasting to join the sweeping Nith,
Whase roarings seem'd to rise and fa'.
Chorus:

4. The cauld blae North was streaming forth
Her lights, wi' hissing, eerie din,
Athort the lift they start and shift,
Like Fortune's favours, tint as win.
Chorus:

5. Now, looking over firth and fauld,
Her horn the pale-faced Cynthia rear'd,
When lo! in form of Minstrel auld,
A stern and stalwart ghaist appear'd.
Chorus:

6. And frae his harp sic strains did flow,
Might rous'd the slumbering Dead to hear;
But oh, it was a tale of woe,
As ever met a Briton's ear!
Chorus:

7. He sang wi' joy his former day,
He, weeping, wail'd his latter times;
But what he said-it was nae play,
I winna venture't in my rhymes.
Chorus:

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