The Exile's Song (My Ain Countrie)


Song by Robert Gilfillan (1798-1850)
From his publication 'Songs', 1835, p214
A poet and songwriter, born at Dunfermline, Scotland.

Publications:
Original Songs (1831) 150-page book of songs
Songs (1835) second edition adding 50 songs
Songs (1839) third edition adding 60 further songs



O ! why left I my hame ?
Why did I cross the deep ?
Oh ! why left I the land
Where my forefathers sleep ?
I sigh for Scotia's shore
And I gaze across the sea,
But I canna get a blink
O' my ain countrie!

The palm-tree waveth high,
And fair the myrtle springs.
And to the Indian maid
The bulbul sweetly sings ;
But I dinna see the broom
Wi' its tassels on the lea,
Nor hear the lintie's sang
O' my ain countrie!

Oh ! here no Sabbath bell
Awakes the Sabbath morn,
Nor song of reapers heard
Amang the yellow corn;
For the tyrant's voice is here,
And the wail of slaverie ,
But the sun of freedom shines
In my ain countrie!

There's a hope for every woe,
And a balm for every pain,
But the first joys o' our heart
Come never back again.
There's a track upon the deep,
And a path across the sea,
But the weary ne'er return
To their ain countrie!


Sung by Annie Grace on The Bell (2012)

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