The Book of Scottish Song/I'm wandering wide

I'm wandering wide.

[William Fergusson.—Here for the first time printed.]

I'm wand'ring wide this wintery night,
⁠But yet my heart's at hame,
Fu' cozie by my ain fire-cheek,
⁠Beside my winsome dame.
The weary winds howl lang an' loud,
⁠But, 'mid their howling drear,
Words sweeter far than honey blabs
⁠Fa' saftly on my ear.

I'm wand'ring wide this wintery night,
⁠I'm wand'ring wide an' far;
But love, to guide me back again,
⁠Lights up a kindly star.
The lift glooms black aboon my head,
⁠Nae friendly blink I see,
But let it gloom,—twa bonnie een
⁠Glance bright to gladden me.

I'm wand'ring wide this wintery night,
⁠I'm wand'ring wide an' late,
And ridgy wreaths afore me rise,
⁠As if to bar my gate.
Around me swirls the sleety drift,
⁠The frost bites dour an' keen.
But breathings warm frae lovin' lips
⁠Come ilka gust atween.

I'm wand'ring wide this wintery night,
⁠I'm wand'ring wide an' wild,
Alang a steep and eerie track
⁠Where hills on hills are piled:
The torrent roars in wrath below,
⁠The tempest roars aboon;
But fancy broods on brighter scenes,
⁠And soughs a cheerin' tune.

I'm wand'ring wide this wintery night,
⁠I'm wand'ring wide my lane,
And mony a langsome, lanesome mile
⁠I'll measure ere it's gane.
But lanesome roads or langsome miles
⁠Can never daunton me,
When I think on the welcome warm
⁠That waits me, love, frae thee.

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