Lochaber No More

Allan Ramsay (1686–1758)

FAREWELL to Lochaber! and farewell, my Jean,

Where heartsome with thee I hae mony day been;

For Lochaber no more, Lochaber no more,

We ’ll maybe return to Lochaber no more!

These tears that I shed they are a’ for my dear,

And no for the dangers attending on wear,

Though borne on rough seas to a far bloody shore,

Maybe to return to Lochaber no more.

Though hurricanes rise, and rise every wind,

They ’ll ne’er make a tempest like that in my mind;

Though loudest of thunder on louder waves roar,

That ’s naething like leaving my love on the shore.

To leave thee behind me my heart is sair pained;

By ease that ’s inglorious no fame can be gained;

And beauty and love ’s the reward of the brave,

And I must deserve it before I can crave.

Then glory, my Jeany, maun plead my excuse;

Since honor commands me, how can I refuse?

Without it I ne’er can have merit for thee,

And without thy favor I ’d better not be.

I gae then, my lass, to win honor and fame,

And if I should luck to come gloriously hame,

I ’ll bring a heart to thee with love running o’er,

And then I ’ll leave thee and Lochaber no more.