22
FAIR MARY-ANNE
Words by Mr Thomas Lyle.
Air.- Oh! had we some bright little isle."
When ruby-faced twilight danced over the hill, To wake up the fairies, and weary birds still, On the gay banks of Kelvin ;-to meet Mary-Anne, I wandered one evening ere winter began. When the breeze rustled o'er The wan lcaves on the tree, And strewed all the shore, And the shenf-covered lea: While the stars twinkled bright in the firmament bine, Reflecting their glare on the rose-dropping dew.
My bosom throbb’d quick, o'er the banks as I trod, For I decin'd not the winds on the hill were abroad; Till storm-chafed clouds the pale moon overcast, And her face was obscured in the wings of the blast. And the stars they were gone, As the storm gathiered round, Yet I still wandered on Through the darkness profound; For love was my guide to the jessamine bower, Where she promised to meet me at twilight's soft hour
The winds died away, and the lovely moon shone Through the bower, where I plighted to make her my own, And the fond maiden wept, ere I won her consent, The tears of affection, they flowed, and they went; Like flowers, when the dews of the night trickle there, Till sunbeams diffuse Them, to perfume the air ; Now the pride of my cabin, ere summer began, Could this heart tell its raptures, was " Fair Mary- Anne."
