The Book of Scottish Song/The Woodlark

The Woodlark

[Written by Burns, for Thomson's collection, and suited either for the tune of "Loch-Eroch side," or "Where'll bonnie Ann lie."]

O stay, sweet warbling woodlark, stay,
Nor quit for me the trembling spray,
A hapless lover courts thy lay,
⁠Thy soothing fond complaining.

Again, again that tender part,
That I may catch thy melting art:
For surely that wad touch her heart,
⁠Wha kills me wi' disdaining.

Say, was thy little mate unkind,
And heard thee as the careless wind?
Oh, nocht but love and sorrow join'd,
⁠Sic notes o' woa could wauken.

Thou tells o' never-ending care;
O' speechless grief, and dark despair;
For pity's sake, sweet bird, nae mair!
⁠Or my poor heart is broken!

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