Loudoun's Bonnie Woods and Braes

Melody - "Lord Moiras Welcome to Scotland"

Robert Tannahill, 1807

Loudoun's bonnie woods and braes.
I maun lea' them a,' lassie;
Wha can thole when Britain's faes
Would gi'e Britons law, lassie?
Wha would shun the field of danger?
Wha frae fame would live a stranger?
Now when Freedom bids avenge her,
Wha would shun her ca', lassie?
Loudoun's bonnie woods and braes
Ha'e seen our happy bridal days,
And gentle Hope shall soothe thy waes
When I am far awa', lassie.

2. Hark! the swelling bugle sings,
Yielding joy to thee, laddie,
But the dolefu' bugle brings
Waefu' thoughts to me, laddie.
Lanely I may climb the mountain,
Lanely stray beside the fountain,
Still the weary moments countin,
Far frae love, and thee, laddie.
O'er the gory fields of war,
When Vengeance drives his crimson car,
Thou'lt maybe fa', frae me afar,
And nane to close thy e'e, laddie.

3. O resume thy wonted smile!
O suppress thy fears, lassie!
Glorious honour crowns the toil
That the soldier shares, lassie;
Heav'n will shield thy faithful lover,
'Till the vengeful strife is over,
Then we'll meet, nae mair to sever,
'Till the day we die, lassie;
'Midst our bonnie woods and braes
We'll spend our peaceful, happy days,
As blithe's you lightsome lamb that plays
On Loudoun's flow'ry lea, lassie.

Composed in honor of the Earl Moira, later the Marquis of Hastings.

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