The reek[12] of the cot hung o’er the plain,

Like a little wee cloud in the world its lane[13];

When the ingle[14] lowed[15] with an eery gleam,

Late, late in the gloamin’, Kilmeny came hame!

“Kilmeny, Kilmeny, where have you been?

Lang hae we sought baith holt and dene;

By linn[16], by ford, and green-wood tree,

Yet you are halesome and fair to see.

Where gat you that joup[17] of the lily sheen?

That bonny snood[18] of the birk[19] sae green?