Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

496 . Song—My Nanie’s awa

NOW in her green mantle blythe Nature arrays,

And listens the lambkins that bleat o’er her braes;

While birds warble welcomes in ilka green shaw,

But to me it’s delightless—my Nanie’s awa.

The snawdrap and primrose our woodlands adorn,

And violetes bathe in the weet o’ the morn;

They pain my sad bosom, sae sweetly they blaw,

They mind me o’ Nanie—and Nanie’s awa.

Thou lav’rock that springs frae the dews of the lawn,

The shepherd to warn o’ the grey-breaking dawn,

And thou mellow mavis that hails the night-fa’,

Give over for pity—my Nanie’s awa.

Come Autumn, sae pensive, in yellow and grey,

And soothe me wi’ tidings o’ Nature’s decay:

The dark, dreary Winter, and wild-driving snaw

Alane can delight me—now Nanie’s awa.