SCOTIA'S GLENS WAS written the same year with the foregoing, and published in several papers the following year; a feeble attempt to contribute my mite for the defence of my country, the only way that it was in my power. It became popular in India. The original name of the air is "Lord Ballenden's delight" -a fine one, but hard to sing-to be found in some of the old collections. 'MANG Scotia's glens and mountains blue, Where Roman eagles never flew, Nor Danish lions rallied, Where skulks the roe in anxious fear, There woods grow wild on every hill, While hearts so brave defend her! Since thou hast watch'd our every need, The sternest enemy we'll brave, Or stem the fiercest ocean wave, Though nations join yon tyrant's arm, While Scotia's noble blood runs warm, Our good old man we'll guard from harm, Or fall in heaps around him! Although the Irish Harp were won, And England's Roses all o'errun, 'Mong Scotia's glens, with sword and gun, We'll form a bulwark round him! THE BROOM SAE GREEN Is my greatest favourite at present,-probably because the air is my own, as well as the verses; for I find I have a particular facility in approving of such things. It is beautifully set by Bishop, in Goulding and D'Almaine's Select Scottish Melodies. LANG I sat by the broom sae green, For aye this strain was breathed within, Your laddie will no come near ye! On the bough that hung sae near me, For O, the strain was dreary! The robin's sang it coudnae be That gart the tear-drap blind my ee; How ken'd the wee bird on the tree That my laddie wad no come near me? The new-wean'd lamb on yonder lea Mourns o'er its nest forsaken ;— If they are wae, how weel may I? Though my fond heart is breaking! |