O Wae’s Me !
O wae’s me ! for my heart it is sair !1
An’ hope i’ this life will cheer me na’ mair !2
The mavis sings loud tae his mate, frae the tree ;3
But ne’er does my fause love, a thought cast tae me !4
I lo’ed him—I lo’e him !— O wae’s my heart !5
Come death, gentle death, and ease me its smart.6
I bent tae his will—oh, I’d better ha’ died !7
For he lingered na’ langer, but . . . cast me aside !8
O maidens, beware, if words are not meet ;9
Tho’ spoke i’ soft tones by a voice that is sweet !10
Tae list to such fause words will fi’ you wi’ care,11
For the knowledge o’ evil is bitter tae bear !12
The world was sae bright, and my heart was sae gay,13
Till I minded the tempting that led me astray !14
But now the world’s brightness—the shine o’ the sun,15
Have all passed for ever, and . . . I am undone !16
Tho’ death tarry lang, and come not at my ca’;17
Never mair can I lichten the sting o’ my fa’;18
And scarce dare I hope, i’ the far land o’ bliss,19
Tae win tae a pardon ne’er gi’en i’ this !20