Adam Austin: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

For lack of Gold

Adam Austin

“For lack of Gold” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Adam Austin: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

For lack of gold she has left me, O,

And of all that's dear she's bereft me, O;

She me forsook for Athole's duke.

And to endless woe she has left me, O.

A star and garter have more art

Than youth, a true and faithful heart;

For empty titles we must part—

For glittering show she has left me, O.

Verse 2

No cruel fair shall ever move

My injured heart again to love;

Through distant climates I must rove,

Since Jeany she has left me, O.

Ye powers above, I to your care

Resign my faithless, lovely fair;

Your choicest blessing be her share,

Though she has ever left me, O.

Credits

Written by Adam Austin

Words by Adam Austin. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “For lack of Gold”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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