John Imlah's text is in Songs of Scotland II, edited by Myles B. Foster (Boosey, n.d., pp. 112-113). Vol. I, edited by J. Pittman and Colin Brown, with notes by Dr Charles MacKay, is dated 1877. Imlah's text is rather different from the usual one (of which we have several variants here, now, some more reliable than others) but the tune is the same.


OH, GIN I WERE WHERE GADIE RINS

(John Imlah, 1749-1846)

Oh gin I were where Gadie rins,
Where Gadie rins, where Gadie rins,
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins,
By the foot o' Bennachie!

I've roamed by Tweed, I've roamed by Tay,
By border Nith and Highland Spey,
But dearer far to me than they,
The braes o' Bennachie!
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins...

When summer cleads the varied scene—
Wi' licht o' gowd and leaves o' green,
I fain wad be where aft I've been—
At the foot o' Bennachie!
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins...

When winter winds blaw sharp and shrill.
O'er icy burn and sheeted hill,
The ingle neuk is gleesome still
At the foot o' Bennachie!
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins...

Though few to welcome me remain;
Though a' I loved are dead and gane;
I'll back, though I should live alane,
To the foot o' Bennachie!
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins...