THE BANKS O’ THE ESK
Gin I were whaur the rowans hang
Their berried heids aside the river,
I’d hear the water slip alang,
The rowan-leaves abune me shiver;
And winds frae Angus braes wad sail
To blaw me dreams owre peat an’ gale.
An’ blawn frae youth, thae dreams o’ mine
Wad find me, tho’ the rowans hide me,
Like hoolets gray they’d flit, an’ syne
They’d fauld their wings an’ licht aside me;
And aye the mair content I’d be
The closer that they cam’ to me.
Aside the Esk I’d lay me doon,
Atween the rowans and its windin’,
An’ tho’ the waters rase to droon
A weary carle, I’d no be mindin’;
For I wad sleep, my rovin’ past,
Upon thae banks o’ dreams at last.