Henry's Songbook

I ha'e naebody now, I ha'e naebody now
To meet me upon the green
Wi' light locks waving o'er her brow
And joy in her deep blue e'en
Wi' the raptured kiss and the happy smile
And the dance o' the lightsome fay
And the wee bit tale o' the news the while
That had happened when I was away

There's naebody kens, there's naebody kens
And O may they never prove
That sharpest degree o' agony
For the child o' their earthly love
To see a flower in its vernal hour
By slow degrees decay
Then, calmly aneath the hand o' death
Breathe its sweet soul away

O, dinna break, my poor auld heart
Nor at thy loss repine
For the unseen hand that threw the dart
Was sent frae her Father and thine
Yet I maun mourn, and I will mourn
Even till my latest day
For though my darling can never return
I can follow the sooner away

(as sung by The McCalmans)

[1970:] Born in Ettrick Forest, [James Hogg (1770-1835)] spent his early days as a shepherd, but he was discovered by Scott while collecting material for his 'Border Minstrelsy', and taken under that ample wing. He had almost no formal education, [...] but he soon became famous among the famous of his time - helped by his magnificent personality. He farmed most of his life and left a variety of notable works [...]. (Penguin Book of Scottish Verse 15f)