The Book of Scottish Song/When Maggie gangs away
When Maggie gangs away.
[It may be curious to contrast the "Barrochan Jean" of Tannahill with a similar extravaganza by the Ettrick Shepherd.]
O, what will a' the lads do
When Maggie gangs away?
O, what will a' the lads do,
When Maggie gangs away?
There's no a heart in a' the glen
That disna dread the day.
O, what will a' the lads do
When Maggy gangs away?
Young Jock has ta'en the hill for't—
A waefu' wight is he;
Poor Harry's ta'en the bed for't,
An' laid him doun to dee;
An' Sandy's gane unto the kirk,
An' learning fast to pray.
And, O, what will the lads do
When Maggy gangs away?
The young laird o' the Lang-shaw
Has drunk her health in wine;
The priest has said—in confidence—
The lassie was divine:
And that is mair in maiden's praise
Than ony priest should say:
But, O, what will the lads do
When Maggy gangs away?
The wailing in our green glen
That day will quaver high;
'Twill draw the red-breast frae the wood,
The laverock from the sky;
The fairies frae their beds o' dew
Will rise and join the lay:
An' hey! what a day 'twill be
When Maggy gangs away!