Ganging to and Ganging frae

Eliza Cook (1818–1889)

NAE star was glintin’ out aboon,

The cluds were dark and hid the moon;

The whistling gale was in my teeth,

And round me was the deep snaw wreath;

But on I went the dreary mile,

And sung right cantie a’ the while

I gae my plaid a closer fauld;

My hand was warm, my heart was bauld,

I didna heed the storm and cauld,

While ganging to my Katie.

But when I trod the same way back,

It seemed a sad and waefu’ track;

The brae and glen were lone and lang;

I didna sing my cantie sang;

I felt how sharp the sleet did fa’,

And couldna face the wind at a’.

Oh, sic a change! how could it be?

I ken fu’ well, and sae may ye—

The sunshine had been gloom to me

While ganging frae my Katie.