XCIV.
Reading edition
FRAE THE FRIENDS AND LAND I LOVE.
Air—“Carron Side.”
[Burns says, “I added the four last lines, by way of giving a turn to the theme of the poem, such as it is.” The rest of the song is supposed to be from the same hand: the lines are not to be found in earlier collections.]
I.
Frae the friends and land I love, Driv’n by fortune’s felly spite, Frae my best belov’d I rove, Never mair to taste delight; Never mair maun hope to find, Ease frae toil, relief frae care: When remembrance wracks the mind, Pleasures but unveil despair.
II.
Brightest climes shall mirk appear, Desert ilka blooming shore, Till the Fates, nae mair severe, Friendship, love, and peace restore; Till Revenge, wi’ laurell’d head, Bring our banish’d hame again; And ilka loyal bonnie lad Cross the seas and win his ain.