J. G. Cumming: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Emigrant's Death Song

J. G. Cumming

“Emigrant's Death Song” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

J. G. Cumming: 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

Farewell tae the burnie

That wimples sae clearly,

The rough bracken knowe, and the heather-clad brae,

The auld haunted tower,

Wi' its ivy-formed bower,

And a' the loved scenes o' my life's early day.

And thee, my ain dearie—

My heart aft was wearie

Tae think I sae lang had been parted frae thee.

Oh, think o' your lover,

When cauld divits cover

The bosom that aye beat sae warmly for thee.

And thee, my auld faither,

Loved sisters and brother,

And, mither! oh maun I say farewell tae thee,

I left thee in sorrow,

But oh, on the morrow

I cherished the hope thee again I wad see.

Kind fate, can ye sever

The cords that ha'e ever

Bae fondly united these objects wi' me;

Oh spare me, once spare me,

An' to them restore me,

For oh, 'twad be heaven amang them tae dee.

Credits

Written by J. G. Cumming

Words by J. G. Cumming. 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, “Emigrant's Death Song”

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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