LAMENT OF THE IRISH EMIGRANT. I'm sittin' on the stile, Mary, Where we sat side by side On a bright May mornin' long ago, The corn was springin' fresh and green, The place is little changed, Mary; And your breath, warm on my cheek; 'Tis but a step down yonder lane, And the little church stands nearThe church where we were wed, Mary; I see the spire from here. But the graveyard lies between, Mary, And my step might break your rest— For I've laid you, darling, down to sleep, With your baby on your breast. I'm very lonely now, Mary, For the poor make no new friends; But, oh! they love the better still Yours was the good brave heart, Mary, When the trust in God had left my soul, And my arm's young strength was gone; There was comfort ever on your lip, And the kind look on your brow— I bless you, Mary, for that same, Though you cannot hear me now. I thank you for the patient smile When your heart was sad and sore— I'm biddin' you a long farewell, They say there's bread and work for all, But I'll not forget old Ireland, And often in those grand old woods And my heart will travel back again To the place where Mary lies! And I'll think I see the little stile Where we sat side by side, And the springin' corn, and the bright May morn, When first you were my bride. LADY DUFFERIN JOHN ANDERSON MY JO. When we were first acquent, Your bonnie brow was brent; John Anderson my jo, John, We clamb the hill thegither, ROBERT BURNS. AULD ROBIN GRAY. WHEN the sheep are in the fauld, and the kye come hame, When a' the world to sleep are gane, The waes o' my heart fa' in showers frae my e'e, While my gudeman lies sound by me. Young Jamie lo'ed me weel and sought me for his bride, But saving a crown, he had naething else beside My mither she fell sick, and my Jamie at the sea, And auld Robin Gray cam' a-courting me. My father couldna work—and my mither couldna spin; I toiled day and night, but their bread I couldna win; Auld Rob maintained them baith, and wi' tears in his e'e, Said, "Jennie, for their sakes, will you no marry me?" My heart it said na; I looked for Jamie back; But the wind it blew high and the ship it was a wrack; The ship it was a wrack—why didna Jennie dee? Oh, why do I live to sav. Oh. wae's me! |