David Vedder: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

My Highland Vale

David Vedder

“My Highland Vale” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

David Vedder: Collected Lyrics Text 4 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

Oh! the sunny peaches glow,

And the grapes in clusters blush;

And the cooling silver streams

From their sylvan fountains rush;

There is music in the grove,

And there is fragrance in the gale,

But there's nought sae dear to me

As my own Highland vale.

Oh! the queen-like virgin rose,

Of the dew and sunlight born,

And the azure violet

Spread their beauties to the morn;

So does the hyacinth,

And the lily pure and pale,

But I love the daisy best

In my own Highland vale.

Hark! hark, those thrilling notes;

'Tis the nightingale complains;

Oh! the soul of music breathes

In those more than plaintive strains

But they're not so dear to me

As the murmur of the rill,

And the bleating of the lambs

On my own Highland hill.

Oh! the flowerets fair may glow,

And the juicy fruits may blush,

And the beauteous birds may sing,

And the crystal streamlets rush,

And the verdant meads may smile,

And the cloudless sun may beam;

But there's nought beneath the skies,

Like my own Highland hame!

Credits

Written by David Vedder

Words by David Vedder. 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, “My Highland Vale”

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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