David Macbeth Moir: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Mary Dhu

David Macbeth Moir

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

David Macbeth Moir: 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

Sweet, sweet is the rose-bud

Bathed in dew;

But sweeter art thou

My Mary dhu.

Oh! the skies of night,

With their eyes of light,

Are not so bright

As my Mary dhu.

Whenever thy radiant face I see,

The clouds of sorrow depart from me,

As the shadows fly

From day's bright eye,

Thou lightest life's sky,

My Mary dhu!

Sad, sad is my heart,

When I sigh, Adieu!

Or gaze on thy parting,

My Mary dhu!

Then for thee I mourn,

Till thy steps return

Bids my bosom burn,—

My Mary dhu.

I think but of thee on the broom-clad hills

I muse but on thee by the moorland rill:

In the morning light,

In the moonshine bright,

Thou art still in my sight,

My Mary dhu.

Thy voice trembles through me

Like the breeze,

That ruffles, in gladness,

The leafy trees;

'Tis a wafted tone

From heaven's high throne,

Making hearts thine own,

My Mary dhu.

Be the flowers of joy ever round thy feet

With colours glowing, and incense sweet;

And when thou must away,

May life's rose decay

In the west wind's sway—

My Mary dhu!

Credits

Written by David Macbeth Moir

Words by David Macbeth Moir. 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, “Mary Dhu”

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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