There Was A Bonie Lass

Inscription At Friars’ Carse Hermitage

To the Memory of Robert Riddell.

To Riddell, much lamented man, This ivied cot was dear; Wandr’er, dost value matchless worth? This ivied cot revere.

There was a bonie lass, and a bonie, bonie lass, And she lo’ed her bonie laddie dear; Till War’s loud alarms tore her laddie frae her arms, Wi’ mony a sigh and tear. Over sea, over shore, where the cannons loudly roar, He still was a stranger to fear; And nocht could him quail, or his bosom assail, But the bonie lass he lo’ed sae dear.