A Galloway Song

Ah! ken ye what I met the day Out oure the Mountains A coming down by craggi[e]s grey An mossie fountains — A[h] goud hair’d Marie yeve I pray Ane minute’s guessing — For that I met upon the way Is past expressing. As I stood where a rocky brig A torrent crosses I spied upon a misty rig A troup o’ Horses — And as they trotted down the glen I sped to meet them To see if I might know the Men To stop and greet them. First Willie on his sleek mare came At canting gallop — His long hair rustled like a flame On board a shallop. Then came his brother Rab and then Young Peggy’s Mither And Peggy too — adown the glen They went togither — I saw her wrappit in her hood Fra wind and raining — Her cheek was flush wi’ timid blood ‘Twixt growth and waning — She turn’d her dazed head full oft For there her Brithers Came riding with her Bridegroom soft And mony ithers. Young Tam came up an’ eyed me quick With reddened cheek — Braw Tam was daffed like a chick — He coud na speak — Ah Marie they are all gane hame Through blustering weather An’ every heart is full on flame Ah! Marie they are all gone hame Fra happy wedding, Whilst I — Ah is it not a shame? Sad tears am shedding.