Arranged by Mr. John Ross of Aberdeen.
LAWLAN lassie, wilt thou go
Whar the hills are clad wi snow ;
Whar, beneath the icy steep,
The hardy shepherd tends his sheep ?
Ill, nor wae, shall thee betide,
Whan row'd within my Hielan plaid
Sune the voice o cheery spring
Will gar a our plantin's ring ;
Sune our bonnie heather braes,
Will put on their simmer claes ;
On the mountain's sunny side,
We'll lean us on my Hielan plaid.
Whan the simmer spreads her flow'rs,
Busks the glen in leafy bow'rs,
Then we'll seek the caller shade,
Lean us on the primrose bed ;
While the burning hours preside,
I'll screen thee wi my Hielan plaid.
Then we'll lea the sheep an goat,
I will launch the bonnie boat,
Skim the loch in cantie glee,
Rest the oars to pleasure thee ;
Whan chilly breezes sweep the tide,
I'll hap thee wi my Hielan plaid.
Lawlan lads may dress mair fine,
Woo in words mair raft than mine ;
Lawlan lads ha'e mair o airt,
A my boast's an honest heart,
Whilk shall ever be my pride :
To row thee in my Hielan plaid !
“Bonnie lad, ye've been sae leel,
My heart woud break at our fareweel ;
Lang your luve has made me fain :
Tak me,—tak me for your ain !”
‘Cross the Firth awa they glide,
Young Donald and his Lawlan bride.
This song first appeared in the Glasgow Nightingale of 1806 with the title "The Highland Plaid." -Ed.
In perusing the Songs on the present occasion, we were forcibly struck with the subject and beauty of this one. We considered it among the finest of Tannahill's songs, and deserving of a better title than that of “The Highland Plaid,” and have accordingly changed it into the best and last line of the song, “Young Donald and his Lawlan Bride.”—Ed.
[Semple 93]