Poem by Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne

Jeanie Deans

St. Leonard's hill was lightsome land,
Where gowan'd grass was growin',
For man and beast were food and rest,
And milk and honey  flowin'.
A father's blessing followed close,
Where'er her foot was treading,
And Jeanie's humble, harmless joys,
On every side were spreading wide,
On every side were spreading.

The mossy turf on Arthur Seat,
St. Anthon's well aye springing,
The lammies playing at her feet,
The birdies round her singing.

The solemn haunts o' Holyrood,
Wi' bats and houlits eerie,
The tow'ring craigs o' Salisbury,
The lowly wells o' Weary,
O, the lowly wells o' Weary.

But evil days and evil men
Came owre their sunny dwelling,
Like thunder storms on sunny skies
Or wastefu' waters swelling.
What ance was sweet is bitter now;
The sun of joy is setting;
In eyes that wont to glance wi' glee, —
The briny tear is wetting fast,
The briny tear is wetting.

Her inmost thought to heaven is sent,
In faithful supplication;
Her earthly stay's Macallummore,
The guardian o' the nation.
A hero's heart — a sister's love —
They're a' i Jeanie's tartan plaid, —
And she is gane, her liefu' lane,
To Lunnon toun she's wending.

1. Songs of My Native Land
2. There Grows a Bonnie Brier Bush
3. Fell He on the Field of Fame
4. Caller Herrin'
5. Would You Be Young Again?

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