O waly waly, up the bank, And waly waly, down the brae, And waly by yon burnside, Where I and my Love wont to gae. I leant my back unto an aik, I thought it was a trusty tree, But first it bow'd and syne it brake, And sae did my true Love to me. O waly waly love is bonny, A little time while it is new; But when it's auld, it waxeth cauld, And fades awa' like morning dew. O wherefore should I busk my head? O wherefore should I kame my hair? For my true Love has me forsook, And says he'll never lo'e me mair. Now Arthur-seat shall be my bed, The sheets shall ne'er be warm'd by me; Saint Anton's well shall be my drink, Since my true Love's forsaken me. O Mart'mas wind! when wilt thou blaw, And shake the green leaves aff the tree? 0 gentle Death! when wilt thou come, And tak' a life that wearies me?
Three Amorous Airs
Song Cycle by John Linton Gardner (1917 - 2011)
1. Waly waly  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Authorship:
See other settings of this text.
waly = an interjection of distressaik = oak tree
syne = then
busk = dress, attire one's self
Arthur-seat= volcanic hill in Edinburgh
Researcher for this page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
2. The German flute
Language: English
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —
3. The Ballad of Nancy Dee
Language: English
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —
Total word count: 165