I.
When wild war’s deadly blast was blawn
And gentle peace returning,
Wi’ mony a sweet babe fatherless,
And mony a widow mourning;
I left the lines and tented field,
Where lang I’d been a lodger,
My humble knapsack a’ my wealth,
A poor and honest sodger.
II.
A leal, light heart was in my breast,
My hand unstain’d wi’ plunder;
And for fair Scotia, hame again,
I cheery on did wander.
I thought upon the banks o’ Coil,
I thought upon my Nancy,
I thought upon the witching smile
That caught my youthful fancy.
III.
At length I reach’d the bonny glen,
Where early life I sported;
I pass’d the mill, and trysting thorn,
Where Nancy aft I courted:
Wha spied I but my ain dear maid,
Down by her mother’s dwelling!
And turn’d me round to hide the flood
That in my een was swelling.
IV.
Wi’ alter’d voice, quoth I, sweet lass,
Sweet as yon hawthorn’s blossom,
O! happy, happy, may he be
That’s dearest to thy bosom!
My purse is light, I’ve far to gang,
And fain wud be thy lodger;
I’ve serv’d my king and country lang—
Take pity on a sodger.
V.
Sae wistfully she gaz’d on me,
And lovelier was then ever;
Quo’ she, a sodger ance I lo’d,
Forget him shall I never:
Our humble cot, and hamely fare,
Ye freely shall partake it,
That gallant badge—the dear cockade—
Ye’re welcome for the sake o’t.