The Book of Scottish Song/Wandering Willie

Wandering Willie.

[Burns, who was fond of the tune of "Here awa', there awa'," wrote the following fine verses to it, in March, 1793, and sent them to Thomson's collection. Some verbal alterations were made upon them by Thomson and his friend Erskine.]

⁠Here awa', there awa', wandering Willie!
⁠He're awa', there awa', haud awa' hame!
⁠Come to my bosom, my ain only dearie;
⁠Tell me thou bring'st me my Willie again.

Winter winds blew loud and cauld at our parting;
⁠Fears for my Willie brought tears in my e'e:
Welcome now, summer, and welcome, my Willie;
⁠The summer to nature, and Willie to me.

Rest, ye wild storms, in the caves of your slumbers!
⁠How your dread howling a lover alarms!
Wauken, ye breezes! row gently, ye billows!
⁠And waft my dear laddie ance mair to my arms.

But, oh, if he's faithless, and minds na his Nannie,
⁠Flow still between us, thou dark heaving main!
May I never see it, may I never trow it,
⁠But, dying, believe that my Willie's my ain!

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