Ossian

I will set my ship in order,
I will sail her on the dark sea;
I’ll go far over yonder border
To see if my love minds on me.

And he sailed East, and he sailed West,
He sailed far, far, seeking land,
Until he cam’ to his true love’s windae
And he knocked loud and would be in.

“Oh, who is that at my bedroom windae
And knocks so loud and would be in?”
“‘Tis I, ‘Tis I, your ain true lover
and I am drenched untae my skin.”

“So go and go, and ask your faither
See if he’ll let you marry me;
And if he says no, come back and tell me
It’s the last time I’ll trouble thee.”

“My father’s in his chamber writing,
Setting down his merchandise;
And in his hand he holds a letter
And it speaks much in your displease

“My mother’s in her chamber sleeping
Words of love she will not hear;
So you may go and court another
And whisper softly in her ear.”

Then she arose put on her clothing,
It was to let her true love in;
But e’er she had the door unlockit
His ship was sailing on the main.

“Come back, come back, my ain dear Johnnie,
Come back, come back, and marry me.”
“How can I come back and marry you, love?
Oor ship is sailing on the sea.”

“The fish may fly, and the seas run dry,
The rocks may melt doon wi’ the sun,
And the working man may forget his labour
Before that my love returns again.”

She’s turned herself right roun’ aboot
She’s flung herself intae the sea;
“Farweel for aye, my ain dear Johnnie
Ye’ll ne’er hae tae come back to me.”