"The Braes o’ Balquhither"

Robert Tannahill (ca.1810)

1
Let us go, lassie, go
To the braes o' Balquhither,
Where the blae-berries grow
'Mang the bonnie Highland heather;
Where flie deer and the rae
Lightly bounding together,
Sport the lang summer day
On the braes o' Balquhither.

2
I will twine thee a bower,
By the clear siller fountain,
And I'll cover it o'er
Wi' the flowers o' the mountain;
I will range through the wilds,
And the deep glens sae dreary,
And return wi' their spoils.
To the bower o' my deary.

3
While the lads o’ the south,
Toil for bare war’ly treasure.
To the lads o’ the north
Ev’ry day brings its pleasure,
Tho' simple are the joys
The brave highlanders possesses.
Yet he feels no annoys,
For he fears no distresses.

4
When the rude wintry win'
Idly raves round our dwelling,
And the roar of the linn
On the night breeze is swelling,
So merrily we'll sing,
As the storm rattles o'er us,
'Till the dear sheeling ring
Wi' the light lilting iorum.

5
Now the summer is in prime,
Wi' the flowers richly blooming,
And the wild mountain thyme
A' the moorlands perfuming;
To our dear native scenes
Let us journey together,
Where glad innocence reigns
'Mang the braes o' Balquhither.


iorum = a rowing song