O ROW THEE IN MY HIGHLAND PLAID.
Set to Music by MR. ROSS of Aberdeen. ______ 1 LOWLAND lassie wilt thou go, 2 Whare the hills are clad wi’ snow; 3 Whare beneath the icy steep, 4 The hardy shepherd tends his sheep; 5 Ill, nor wae shall thee betide, 6 When row’d within my highland Plaid. 7 Soon the voice o’ cheery spring, 8 Will gar a’ our plantins ring; 9 Soon our bonny heather braes, 10 Will put on their simmer claes; 11 On the mountain’s sunny side, 12 We’ll lean us on my highland Plaid. 13 When the simmer spreads the flow’rs, 14 Busks the glens in leafy bow’rs, 15 Then we’ll seek the calor shade, 16 Lean us on the primrose bed, 17 While the burning hours preside, 18 I’ll screen thee wi’ my highland Plaid. 19 Then we’ll leave the sheep an’ goat, 20 I will launch the bonny boat. 21 Skim the loch in canty glee, 22 Rest the oars to pleasure thee, 23 When chilly breezes sweep the tide, 24 I’ll hap thee wi’ my highland Plaid. 25 Lowland lads may dress mair fine, 26 Woo in words mair saft than mine; 27 Lowland lads hae mair o’ art, 28 A’ my boast’s an honest heart, 29 Whilk shall ever be my pride; 30 O row thee in my highland plaid! 31 “Bonny lad, ye’ve been sae leal, 32 “My heart would break at our fareweel, 33 “Lang your love has made me fain, 34 “Tak’ me—tak’ me for your ain!” 35 Cross the firth, awa’ they glide, 36 Young Donald and his Lowland bride. |
Title plaid: A rectangular length of twilled woollen cloth, sometimes self-coloured of white or marled gray, but more often of a chequered or Tartan pattern, which was formerly worn as a mantle or outer garment, predominantly in the rural areas of Scotland.
Title: highland: the mountainous district of Scotland lying north and west of a line drawn approximately from Dumbarton to Ballater and thence to Nairn. The Highlands preserved Gaelic speech and traditions for much longer than the Lowlands; "lowlanders" were perceived to be more influenced by British culture, and thus more delicate and cultured in general. In the poem it serves to highlight the divide between the speaker and his love. 2. whare: form of Eng. where 5. wae: form of Eng. woe. 8. gar: to make, to cause, to force, to compel 8. plantins: that which has been planted. 9. braes: hills or hillsides 9. bonny: beautiful, pretty, fair; handsome, attractive; a term of endearment. 10. simmer: form of Eng. summer 10. claes: form of Eng. clothes 14. busks: to adorn, to deck, dress up. 15. calor: rare variant of caller: Applied to air, water, etc.: cool, fresh, refreshing 21. loch: An expanse of standing water, a lake or pond. 22. canty: lively; cheerful; pleasant. 24. hap: To cover, surround, enfold, so as to shelter, shield or conceal anything. 25. mair: Gen.Sc. form of Eng. more. 26. saft: Sc. form of Eng. soft. 29. whilk: Sc. form of Eng. what. 31. leal: Loyal, faithful, adhering to one’s allegiance, duty. |