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Home  »  The Book of Sorrow  »  Anonymous (17th Century)

Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916.

From ‘Fair Helen of Kirconnell’

Anonymous (17th Century)

[See full text.]

I WISH I were where Helen lies,

Night and day on me she cries;

O that I were where Helen lies,

On fair Kirconnell lea!…

O Helen fair, beyond compare!

I’ll mak a garland o’ thy hair,

Shall bind my heart for evermair,

Until the day I die!

O that I were where Helen lies!

Night and day on me she cries;

Out of my bed she bids me rise,

Says, ‘Haste, and come to me!’—

O Helen fair! O Helen chaste!

If I were with thee, I’d be blest,

Where thou lies low and taks thy rest,

On fair Kirconnell lea.

I wish my grave were growing green,

A winding-sheet drawn owre my e’en,

And I in Helen’s arms lying,

On fair Kirconnell lea.

I wish I were where Helen lies!

Night and day on me she cries;

And I am weary of the skies,

For her sake that died for me.