Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Scottish songs > Volume 2

474
In England my black bird and I were together,
Where he was still noble and generous of heart.
Ah ! woe to the time that first he went thither I
Alas ! he was forced from thence to depart I
In Scotland he's deem'd, and highly esteem'd ;
In England he seeraeth a stranger to be ;
Yet his fame shall remain in France and in Spain ;> —
All bliss to my black bird, wherever he be !
What if the fowler my black bird has taken !
Then sighing and sobbing will be all my tune ;
But if he is safe I'll not be forsaken,
And hope yet to see him in May or in June.
For him, through the fire, through mud and through mire,
I'll go ; for I love him to such a degree,
Who is constant and kind, and noble of mind.
Deserving all blessings, wherever he be !
It is not the ocean can fright me with danger,
Nor that like a pilgrim I wander forlorn ;
I may meet with friendship from one is a stranger,
More than of one that in Britain is born.
I pray Heaven, so spacious, to Britain be gracious.
Though some there be odious to both him and me.
Yet joy and renown, and laurels shall crown
My black bird with honour, wherever he be.
JOHN OF BADENYON.
REV. MR SKINNER.
Tune — Jolin o' Badenyon.
When first I came to be a man, of twenty years, or so,
I thought myself a handsome youth, and fain the world
would know ;