O Waly, waly, up the bank, <br />O wary, waly, doun the brae, <br />And waly, waly, yon burn-side, <br />Where I and my love wer wont to gae! <br />I lean'd my back unto an aik, <br />I thocht it was a trustie tree, <br />But first it bow'd and syne it brak',- <br />Sae my true love did lichtlie me. <br />O waly, waly, but love be bonnie <br />A little time while it is new! <br />But when its auld it waxeth cauld, <br />And fadeth awa' like the morning dew. <br />O wherefore should I busk my heid, <br />Or wherefore should I kame my hair? <br />For my true love has me forsook, <br />And says he'll never lo'e me mair. <br /> <br />Noo Arthur's seat sall be my bed. <br />The sheets sall neir be press'd by me; <br />Saint Anton's well sall be my drink; <br />Since my true love's forsaken me. <br />Martinmas wind, when wilt thou blaw, <br />And shake the green leaves off the tree? <br />O gentle death, when wilt thou come? <br />For of my life I am wearie. <br /> <br />'Tis not the frost that freezes fell, <br />Nor blawing-snaw's inclemencie, <br />'Tis not sic cauld that makes me cry; <br />But my love's heart grown cauld to me. <br />Whan we cam' in by Glasgow toun, <br />We were a comely sicht to see; <br />My love was clad in the black velvet, <br />An' I mysel' in cramasie. <br /> <br />But had I wist before I kiss'd <br />That love had been so ill to win, <br />I'd lock'd my heart in a case o' goud, <br />And pinn'd it wi' a siller pin. <br />Oh, oh! if my young babe were born, <br />And set upon the nurse's knee; <br />And I mysel' were dead and gane, <br />And the green grass growing over me!<br /><br />Anonymous Americas<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/waly-waly-2/
