Song, Composed In Spring

  song, composed in spring
  tune—“jockey's grey breeks.”
  again rejoicing nature sees
  her robe assume its vernal hues:
  her leafy locks wave in the breeze,
  all freshly steep'd in morning dews.
  chorus.—and maun i still on menie doat,
  and bear the scorn that's in her e'e?
  for it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk,
  an' it winna let a body be.
  in vain to me the cowslips blaw,
  in vain to me the vi'lets spring;
  in vain to me in glen or shaw,
  the mavis and the lintwhite sing.
  and maun i still, c.
  the merry ploughboy cheers his team,
  wi' joy the tentie seedsman stalks;
  but life to me's a weary dream,
  a dream of ane that never wauks.
  and maun i still, c.
  the wanton coot the water skims,
  amang the reeds the ducklings cry,
  the stately swan majestic swims,
  and ev'ry thing is blest but i.
  and maun i still, c.
  the sheep-herd steeks his faulding slap,
  and o'er the moorlands whistles shill:
  wi' wild, unequal, wand'ring step,
  i meet him on the dewy hill.
  and maun i still, c.
  and when the lark, 'tween light and dark,
  blythe waukens by the daisy's side,
  and mounts and sings on flittering wings,
  a woe-worn ghaist i hameward glide.
  and maun i still, c.
  come winter, with thine angry howl,
  and raging, bend the naked tree;
  thy gloom will soothe my cheerless soul,
  when nature all is sad like me!
  and maun i still, c.