Classic Poem

Air — Sweet Annie frae the sea-beach came

With waefu' heart, and sorrowing e'e,
I saw my Jamie sail awa',
O 'twas a fatal day to me,
That day he pass'd the Berwick Law.
How joyless now seem'd all behind!
I ling'ring stray'd along the shore;
Dark boding fears hung on my mind
That I might never see him more.

The night came on with heavy rain,
Loud, fierce, and wild, the tempest blew;
In mountains roll'd the awful main —
Ah, hapless maid! my fears how true!
The landsmen heard their drowning cries,
The wreck was seen with dawning day;
My love was found, and now he lies
Low in the isle of gloomy May.

O boatman, kindly waft me o'er!
The cavern'd rock shall be my home;
'Twill ease my burthen'd heart, to pour
Its sorrows o'er his grassy tomb:
With sweetest flow'rs I'll deck his grave,
And tend them through the langsome year;
I'll water them, ilk morn and eve,
With deepest sorrow's warmest tear.