How sweetly bloom'd the gay green birk, [birch] How rich the hawthorn's blossom, As underneath their fragrant shade I clasp'd her to my bosom! The golden hours on angel wings Flew o'er me and my dearie; For dear to me as light and life Was my sweet Highland Mary.
Wi' mony a vow and lock'd embrace Our parting was fu' tender; And, pledging aft to meet again, We tore oursels asunder; But oh! fell death's untimely frost, That nipt my flower sae early! Now green's the sod, and cauld's the clay, [cold] That wraps my Highland Mary!
O pale, pale now, those rosy lips, I aft hae kiss'd sae fondly! And closed for aye the sparkling glance, That dwelt on me sae kindly! And mould'ring now in silent dust, That heart that lo'ed me dearly! [loved] But still within my bosom's core Shall live my Highland Mary.
Thou lingering star, with lessening ray, That lov'st to greet the early morn, Again thou usherest in the day My Mary from my soul was torn. O Mary! dear departed shade! Where is thy place of blissful rest? Seest thou thy lover lowly laid? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast?
That sacred hour can I forget? Can I forget the hallow'd grove, Where by the winding Ayr we met, To live one day of parting love? Eternity will not efface Those records dear of transports past; Thy image at our last embrace-- Ah! little thought we 'twas our last!
Ayr gurgling kiss'd his pebbled shore, O'erhung with wild woods, thickening green; The fragrant birch, and hawthorn hoar, Twin'd amorous round the raptur'd scene. The flowers sprang wanton to be prest, The birds sang love on ev'ry spray, Till too, too soon, the glowing west Proclaim'd the speed of wingèd day.
Still o'er these scenes my memory wakes, And fondly broods with miser care! Time but the impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear. My Mary, dear departed shade! Where is thy place of blissful rest? Seest thou thy lover lowly laid? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast?
The group that follow are addressed either to unknown divinities or to girls who inspired only a passing devotion. In the case of _Bonnie Lesley_, there was no question of a love-affair: the song is merely a compliment to a young lady he met and admired. _Auld Rob Morris_ is probably purely dramatic.