Poem by William Nicholson

The Braes of Galloway

O LASSIE, wilt thou gang wi’ me,
And leave thy frien’s i’ th’ south countrie,—
Thy former frien’s and sweethearts a’,
And gang wi’ me to Gallowa’?
    O Gallowa’ braes, they wave wi’ broom,
    And heather-bells in bonnie bloom;
    There ’s lordly seats, and livin’s braw,
    Amang the braes o’ Gallowa’!

There ’s stately woods on mony a brae,
Where burns and birds in concert play;
The waukrife echo answers a’,
Amang the braes o’ Gallowa’.

The simmer shiel I ’ll build for thee
Alang the bonnie banks o’ Dee,
Half circlin’ roun’ my father’s ha’,
Amang the braes o’ Gallowa’.

When autumn waves her flowin’ horn,
And fields o’ gowden grain are shorn,
I ’ll busk thee fine, in pearlins braw,
To join the dance in Gallowa’.

At e’en, whan darkness shrouds the sight,
And lanely, langsome is the night,
Wi’ tentie care my pipes I ’ll thraw,
Play “A’ the way to Gallowa’.”

Should fickle fortune on us frown,
Nae lack o’ gear our love should drown;
Content should shield our haddin’ sma’,
Amang the braes o’ Gallowa’.
    Come while the blossom ’s on the broom,
    And heather-bells sae bonnie bloom;	
    Come let us be the happiest twa
    On a’ the braes o’ Gallowa’!

1. The Banks of Fleet
2. The Banks of Tarf

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