The Book of Scottish Song/I kenna what's come o'er him

I kenna what’s come o’er him.

[Rev. Thomas Brydson of Levern church, Renfrewshire.—Air, "O, wat ye wha's in yon town."]

I kenna what's come ower him,
⁠He's no the lad he used to be;
I kenna what's come ower him,
⁠The blythe blink has left his e'e.
He wanders dowie by himsel',
⁠Alang the burn and through the glen;
His secret grief he winna tell—
⁠I wish that he would smile again.

There was a time—alake the day!
⁠Ae word o' mine could mak' him glad;
But noo, at every word I say,
⁠I think he only looks mair sad.
The last time I gaed to the fair,
⁠Wi' Willie o' the birken-cleugh,
Like walkin' ghost he met us there—
⁠And sic a storm was on his broo!

I'm wae to see the chiel sae glum,
⁠Sae dismal-like frae morn to e'en:
Than sic a cast as this had come,
⁠I'd rather Willie ne'er ha'e seen.
I kenna what's come ower him,
⁠He's no the lad he used to be;
I kenna what's come ower him—
⁠The blythe blink has left his e'e.

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