LXIII. My Harry Was a Gallant Gay

Tune—“Highland’s Lament.”

[“The chorus,” says Burns, “I picked up from an old woman in Dumblane: the rest of the song is mine.” He composed it for Johnson: the tone is Jacobitical.]

I.

My Harry was a gallant gay,
Fu’ stately strode he on the plain:
But now he’s banish’d far away,
I’ll never see him back again,
O for him back again!
O for him back again!
I wad gie a’ Knockhaspie’s land
For Highland Harry back again.

II.

When a’ the lave gae to their bed,
I wander dowie up the glen;
I set me down and greet my fill,
And ay I wish him back again.

III.

O were some villains hangit high.
And ilka body had their ain!
Then I might see the joyfu’ sight,
My Highland Harry back again.
O for him back again!
O for him back again!
I wad gie a’ Knockhaspie’s land
For Highland Harry back again.