Lady Nairne

54. The Land o’ the Leal.

I’m wearin’ awa’, John,
Like snaw when it’s thaw, John,
I’m wearin’ awa’
To the land o’ the leal.

There’s nae sorrow there, John,
There’s neither cauld nor care, John,
The day’s aye fair
In the land o’ the leal.

Our bonnie bairn’s there, John,
She was baith gude and fair, John,
And oh! we grudged her sair
To the land o’ the leal.

But sorrow’s sel’ wears past, John,
And joy is comin’ fast, John,
The joy that’s aye to last
In the land o’ the leal.

Sae dear’s that joy was bought, John,
Sae free the battle fought, John,
That sinfu’ man e’er brought
To the land o’ the leal.

Oh! dry your glist’ning e’e, John,
My soul langs to be free, John,
And angels beckon me
To the land o’ the leal.

Noo, haud ye leal and true, John,
Your day it’s weel near through, John,
And I’ll welcome you
To the land o’ the leal.

Noo, fare-ye-weel, my ain John,
This warld’s cares are vain, John,
We’ll meet, and we’ll be fain,
In the land o’ the leal.

Henderson’s Text.