The Poetry Corner

Scotch Song

By Charles Kingsley

Oh, forth she went like a braw, braw bride To meet her winsome groom, When she was aware of twa bonny birds Sat biggin' in the broom. The tane it built with the green, green moss, But and the bents sae fine, And the tither wi' a lock o' lady's hair Linked up wi' siller twine. 'O whaur gat ye the green, green moss, O whaur the bents sae fine? And whaur gat ye the bonny broun hair That ance was tress o' mine?' 'We gat the moss fra' the elditch aile, The bents fra' the whinny muir, And a fause knight threw us the bonny broun hair, To please his braw new fere.' 'Gae pull, gae pull the simmer leaves, And strew them saft o'er me; My token's tint, my love is fause, I'll lay me doon and dee.' 1847.