CXXV.
Reading edition
AS I WAS A-WAND’RING.
Tune—“Rinn Meudial mo Mhealladh.”
[The original song in the Gaelic language was translated for Burns by an Inverness-shire lady; he turned it into verse, and sent it to the Museum.]
I.
As I was a-wand’ring ae midsummer e’enin’, The pipers and youngsters were making their game; Amang them I spied my faithless fause lover, Which bled a’ the wound o’ my dolour again. Weel, since he has left me, may pleasure gae wi’ him; I may be distress’d, but I winna complain; I flatter my fancy I may get anither, My heart it shall never be broken for ane.
II.
I could na get sleeping till dawin for greetin’, The tears trickled down like the hail and the rain: Had I na got greetin’, my heart wad a broken, For, oh! luve forsaken’s a tormenting pain.
III.
Although he has left me for greed o’ the siller, I dinna envy him the gains he can win; I rather wad bear a’ the lade o’ my sorrow Than ever hae acted sae faithless to him. Weel, since he has left me, may pleasure gae wi’ him, I may be distress’d, but I winna complain; I flatter my fancy I may get anither, My heart it shall never be broken for ane.