THE BANKS O’ THE ESK

Gin I were whaur the rowans hang Their berried heids aside the river, I’d hear the water slip alang, The rowan-leaves abune me shiver; And winds frae Angus braes wad sail To blaw me dreams owre peat an’ gale. An’ blawn frae youth, thae dreams o’ mine Wad find me, tho’ the rowans hide me, Like hoolets gray they’d flit, an’ syne They’d fauld their wings an’ licht aside me; And aye the mair content I’d be The closer that they cam’ to me. Aside the Esk I’d lay me doon, Atween the rowans and its windin’, An’ tho’ the waters rase to droon A weary carle, I’d no be mindin’; For I wad sleep, my rovin’ past, Upon thae banks o’ dreams at last.