The Book of Scottish Song/It is na, Jean
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It is na, Jean.
[These verses were furnished by Burns to Johnson's Museum. He says they were originally English, but he gave them a Scotch dress. The tune, called "The Maid's Complaint," was composed by Oswald, and published in 1742.]
It is na, Jean, thy bonnie face,
Nor shape that I admire,
Although thy beauty and thy grace
Might weel awake desire.
Something, in ilka part o' thee,
To praise, to love, I find;
But dear as is thy form to me,
Still dearer is thy mind.
Nae mair ungen'rous wish I ha'e,
Nor stronger in my breast,
Than if I canna mak' thee sae,
At least to see thee blest.
Content am I, if heaven shall give
But happiness to thee:
And as wi' thee I'd wish to live,
For thee I'd bear to die.