The Land o' the Leal

By Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne, (1766-1845)

I'm wearin' awa', John,

Like snaw-wreaths in 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 is 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'nin' e'e, John,

My saul langs to be free, John,

And angels beckon me

To the land o' the leal.

Oh! haud ye lead an' true, John,

Your day it's wearin' thro', John,

And I'll welcome you

To the land o' the leal.

Now 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.

Click to return to our Poets' corner

Notes

LEAL: loyal, faithful. SAIR: sore.

BAIRN: child. FAIN: happy