James Tytler

Loch Erroch Side

As I cam’ by Loch Erroch side,
The lofty hills surveying,
The water clear, the heather blooms,
Their fragrance sweet conveying;
I met, unsought, my lovely maid,
I found her like May morning;
With graces sweet, and charms so rare,
Her person all adorning.

How kind her looks, how blest was I,
While in my arms I prest her!
And she her wishes scarce concealed
As fondly I caressed her.
She said, “If that your heart be true,
If constantly you’ll love me,
I heed not care, nor fortune’s frowns,
For nought but death shall move me.

“But faithful, loving, true, and kind
For ever shall thou find me;
And of our meeting here so sweet
Loch Erroch sweet shall mind me.”
Enraptured then, “My lovely lass,”
I cried, “no more we’ll tarry!
We’ll leave the fair Loch Erroch side,
For lovers soon should marry.”