The Soldier’s Return: A Ballad

9A leal, light heart was in my breast,

10 My hand unstain’d wi’ plunder;

11And for fair Scotia hame again,

12 I cheery on did wander:

13I thought upon the banks o’ Coil,

14 I thought upon my Nancy,

15I thought upon the witching smile

16 That caught my youthful fancy.

17At length I reach’d the bonie glen,

18 Where early life I sported;

19I pass’d the mill and trysting thorn,

20 Where Nancy aft I courted:

21Wha spied I but my ain dear maid,

22 Down by her mother’s dwelling!

23And turn’d me round to hide the flood

24 That in my een was swelling.

25Wi’ alter’d voice, quoth I, “Sweet lass,

26 Sweet as yon hawthorn’s blossom,

27O! happy, happy may he be,

28 That’s dearest to thy bosom:

29My purse is light, I’ve far to gang,

30 And fain would be thy lodger;

31I’ve serv’d my king and country lang—

32 Take pity on a sodger.”

33Sae wistfully she gaz’d on me,

34 And lovelier was than ever;

35Quo’ she, “A sodger ance I lo’ed,

36 Forget him shall I never:

37Our humble cot, and hamely fare,

38 Ye freely shall partake it;

39That gallant badge-the dear cockade,

40 Ye’re welcome for the sake o’t.”

41She gaz’d—she redden’d like a rose—

42 Syne pale like only lily;

43She sank within my arms, and cried,

44 “Art thou my ain dear Willie?”

45“By him who made yon sun and sky!

46 By whom true love’s regarded,

47I am the man; and thus may still

48 True lovers be rewarded.

49“The wars are o’er, and I’m come hame,

50 And find thee still true-hearted;

51Tho’ poor in gear, we’re rich in love,

52 And mair we’se ne’er be parted.”

53Quo’ she, “My grandsire left me gowd,

54 A mailen plenish’d fairly;

55And come, my faithfu’ sodger lad,

56 Thou’rt welcome to it dearly!”

57For gold the merchant ploughs the main,

58 The farmer ploughs the manor;

59But glory is the sodger’s prize,

60 The sodger’s wealth is honor:

61The brave poor sodger ne’er despise,

62 Nor count him as a stranger;

63Remember he’s his country’s stay,

64 In day and hour of danger.