Henry's Songbook

I'm wearin awa', Jean
Like snaw-drifts in thaw, Jean
I'm wearin awa' tae the land o' the leal

There's nae sorrow there, Jean
There's neither cauld nor care, Jean
The day is aye fair in the land o' the leal

Oor bonnie bairnie's there, Jean
She was baith gude and fair, Jean
And oh! we grudged her sair tae the land o' the leal

But sorrow's sel' wears past, Jean
And joy is coming fast, Jean
The joy that's aye tae last in the land o' the leal

Ye've aye been leal an' true, Jean
Your task is ended noo, Jean
And I'll welcome you tae the land o' the leal

Then dry that tearfu' e'e, Jean
My saul langs tae be free, Jean
And angels beckon me tae the land o' the leal

A' oor friends are gane, Jean
We've lang been left alane, Jean
We'll a' meet again in the land o' the leal

Now fare ye weel, my ain Jean
This warld's care is vain, Jean
We'll meet and aye be fain in the land o' the leal

(as sung by Alex Campbell)

[1970:] Daughter of the Jacobite laird of Gask, in Perth, [Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne (1766-1845)] married her second cousin William Nairne in 1806. In 1824 he became sixth Lord Nairne on the restoration of the 'attainted' Scottish peerages. About eighty-seven songs carry her signature, originals and cobblings alike, and her range is very wide. Her Jacobite ones are sentimental yet sincere, and among her best liked. It was only after her death that the songs appeared in her own name instead of the pseudonym 'Mrs Bogan of Bogan'. (Penguin Book of Scottish Verse 15)