Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Carolina, Lady Nairne. 17661845512. The Land o’ the Leal
I’M wearin’ awa’, John | |
Like snaw-wreaths in thaw, John, | |
I’m wearin’ awa’ | |
To the land o’ the leal. | |
There ‘s nae sorrow there, John, | 5 |
There ‘s neither cauld nor care, John, | |
The day is aye fair | |
In the land o’ the leal. | |
Our bonnie bairn ‘s there, John, | |
She was baith gude and fair, John; | 10 |
And O! we grudged her sair | |
To the land o’ the leal. | |
But sorrow’s sel’ wears past, John, | |
And joy ‘s a-coming fast, John, | |
The joy that ‘s aye to last | 15 |
In the land o’ the leal. | |
Sae dear ‘s the joy was bought, John, | |
Sae free the battle fought, John, | |
That sinfu’ man e’er brought | |
To the land o’ the leal. | 20 |
O, dry your glistening e’e, John! | |
My saul langs to be free, John, | |
And angels beckon me | |
To the land o’ the leal. | |
O, haud ye leal and true, John! | 25 |
Your day it ‘s wearin’ through, John, | |
And I’ll welcome you | |
To the land o’ the leal. | |
Now fare-ye-weel, my ain John, | |
This warld’s cares are vain, John, | 30 |
We’ll meet, and we’ll be fain, | |
In the land o’ the leal. |