XCIX.
Reading edition
THERE’LL NEVER BE PEACE.
Tune—“There art few gude fellows when Willie’s awa.”
[The bard was in one of his Jacobitical moods when he wrote this song. The air is a well known one, called “There’s few gude fellows when Willie’s awa.” But of the words none, it is supposed, are preserved.]
I.
By yon castle wa’, at the close of the day, I heard a man sing, though his head it was gray; And as he was singing the tears down came, There’ll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. The church is in ruins, the state is in jars; Delusions, oppressions, and murderous wars: We darena weel say’t, though we ken wha’s to blame, There’ll never be peace till Jamie comes hame!
II.
My seven braw sons for Jamie drew sword, And now I greet round their green beds in the yerd. It brak the sweet heart of my faithfu’ auld dame— There’ll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. Now life is a burthen that bows me down, Since I tint my bairns, and he tint his crown; But till my last moments my words are the same— There’ll never be peace till Jamie comes hame!