CLXXVIII.
Reading edition
MY AIN KIND DEARIE O.
[This is the first song composed by Burns for the national collection of Thomson: it was written in October, 1792. “On reading over the Lea-rig,” he says, “I immediately set about trying my hand on it, and, after all, I could make nothing more of it than the following.” The first and second verses were only sent: Burns added the third and last verse in December.]
I.
When o’er the hill the eastern star Tells bughtin-time is near, my jo; And owsen frae the furrow’d field Return sae dowf and weary, O! Down by the burn, where scented birks[137] Wi’ dew are hanging clear, my jo; I’ll meet thee on the lea-rig, My ain kind dearie O!
II.
In mirkest glen, at midnight hour, I’d rove, and ne’er be eerie, O; If thro’ that glen I gaed to thee, My ain kind dearie O! Altho’ the night were ne’er sae wild, And I were ne’er sae wearie, O, I’d meet thee on the lea-rig, My ain kind dearie O!
III.
The hunter lo’es the morning sun, To rouse the mountain deer, my jo; At noon the fisher seeks the glen, Alang the burn to steer, my jo; Gie me the hour o’ gloamin gray, It maks my heart sae cheery, O, To meet thee on the lea-ring, My ain kind dearie O!