LV.
Reading edition
BLITHE WAS SHE.
Tune—“Andro and his cutty gun.”
[The heroine of this song, Euphemia Murray, of Lintrose was justly called the “Flower of Strathmore:” she is now widow of Lord Methven, one of the Scottish judges, and mother of a fine family. The song was written at Ochtertyre, in June 1787.]
CHORUS.
Blithe, blithe and merry was she, Blithe was she but and ben: Blithe by the banks of Ern, And blithe in Glenturit glen.
I.
By Auchtertyre grows the aik, On Yarrow banks the birken shaw; But Phemie was a bonnier lass Than braes of Yarrow ever saw.
II.
Her looks were like a flow’r in May, Her smile was like a simmer morn; She tripped by the banks of Ern, As light’s a bird upon a thorn.
III.
Her bonnie face it was as meek As any lamb upon a lea; The evening sun was ne’er sae sweet, As was the blink o’ Phemie’s ee.
IV.
The Highland hills I’ve wander’d wide, And o’er the Lowlands I hae been; But Phemie was the blithest lass That ever trod the dewy green. Blithe, blithe and merry was she, Blithe was she but and ben: Blithe by the banks of Ern. And blithe in Glenturit glen.