Caroline Norton: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Highland Mary 2

Caroline Norton

“Highland Mary 2” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Caroline Norton: 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

I would I were the light fern growing

Beneath my Highland Mary's tread,

I would I were the green tree throwing

Its shadow o'er her gentle head!

I would I were a wild flower springing

Where my sweet Mary loves to rest,

That she might pluck me while she's singing,

And place me on her snowy breast!

I would I were in yonder heaven

A silver star, whose soft dim light

Would rise to bless each summer even,

And watch my Mary all the night!

I would, beneath these small white fingers,

I were the lute her breath has fanned—

The gentle lute, whose soft note lingers,

As loth to leave her fairy band!

Ah, happy things! ye may not wander

From Scotland to some darker sky,

But ever live unchanging yonder,

To happiness and Mary nigh!

While I at midnight sadly weeping

Upon its deep transparent blue,

Can only gaze while all are sleeping,

And dream my Mary watches too!

Credits

Written by Caroline Norton

Words by Caroline Norton. 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, “Highland Mary 2”

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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