John Lowe: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Mary's Dream

John Lowe

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

John Lowe: 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

The moon had climb'd the highest hill,

Which rises o'er the source of Dee,

And from the eastern summit shed

Her silver light on tower and tree;

When Mary laid her down to sleep,

Her thoughts on Sandy far at sea;

When soft and low, a voice was heard,

Saying, "Mary, weep no more for me!"

She from her pillow gently raised

Her head, to ask who there might be,

And saw young Sandy shivering stand,

With visage pale, and hollow e'e.

"O Mary dear, cold is my clay;

It lies beneath a stormy sea.

Far, far from thee, I sleep in death,

So, Mary, weep no more for me!

Three stormy nights and stormy days,

We tossed upon the raging main;

And long we strove our bark to save,

But all our striving was in vain.

Even then, when horror chiled my blood,

My heart was filled with love for thee:

The storm is past, and I at rest;

So, Mary, weep no more for me!

O maiden dear, thyself prepare;

We soon shall meet upon that shore,

Where love is free from doubt and care,

And thou and I shall part no, more!"

Loud crowed the cock, the shadow fled:

No more of Sandy could she see.

But soft the passing spirit said,

"Sweet Mary, weep no more for me!"

Credits

Written by John Lowe

Words by John Lowe (died 1798). 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's Dream”

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). The credited author died in 1798.

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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