[This song was sent to the Museum by Burns, in his own handwriting.]
I.
O, sad and heavy should I part,
But for her sake sae far awa;
Unknowing what my way may thwart,
My native land sae far awa.
Thou that of a’ things Maker art,
That form’d this fair sae far awa,
Gie body strength, then I’ll ne’er start
At this my way sae far awa.
II.
How true is love to pure desert,
So love to her, sae far awa:
And nocht can heal my bosom’s smart,
While, oh! she is sae far awa.
Nane other love, nane other dart,
I feel but hers, sae far awa;
But fairer never touch’d a heart
Than hers, the fair sae far awa.
CLXI.
I’LL AY CA’ IN BY YON TOWN.
Tune—“I’ll gae nae mair to yon town.”
[Jean Armour inspired this very sweet song. Sir Harris Nicolas says it is printed in Cromek’s Reliques: it was first printed in the Museum.]