Alexander Geddes: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Lewis Gordon

Alexander Geddes

“Lewis Gordon” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Alexander Geddes: 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

O send Lewie Gordon hame,

And the lad I daurna name;

Though his back be at the wa',

Here's to him that's far awa'!

Ochon, my Highlandman!

O my bonnie Highlandman!

Weel would I my true love ken,

Amang ten thousand Highlandmen.

O! to see his tartan trews,

Bonnet blue, and laigh-heel'd shoes,

Philabeg aboon his knee!

That's the lad that I'll gang wi'.

Ochon, &c.

This lovely youth of whom I sing,

Is fitted for to be a king;

On his breast he wears a star:

You'd tak' him for the god of war.

Ochon, &c.

O! to see this princely one

Seated on a royal throne!

Disasters a' would disappear;

Then begins the jub'lee year.

Ochon, &c.

Credits

Written by Alexander Geddes

Words by Alexander Geddes. 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, “Lewis Gordon”

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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