Robert Jamieson: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Go to him, then

Robert Jamieson

“Go to him, then” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Jamieson: Collected Lyrics Text 2 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

Go to him, then, if thou canst go;

Waste not a thought on me;

My heart and mind are a' my story—

They ance were dear to thee.

But there is music in his gold,

(I ne'er sae sweet could sing,)

That finds a chord in every breast,

In unison to ring.

The modest virtues dread the spell;

The honest loves retire;

The finer sympathies of soul

Far other charms require.

The breathings of my plaintive reed

Sink dying in despair;

The still small voice of gratitude,

Even that is heard nae mair.

But, if thy heart can suffer thee,

The powerful cause obey;

And mount the splendid bed that wealth

And pride for thee display.

There gaily bid farewell to a'

Love's trembling hopes and fears;

While I my lonely pillow, here,

Wash with unceasing tears.

Yet, in the fremmit arms of him,

That half thy worth ne'er knew,

O think na on my lang-tried love,

How tender and how true!

For sure 'twould break thy tender heart,

My breaking heart to see,

Wi' a' the wrangs and waes it tholed,

And yet maun thole for thee.

Credits

Written by Robert Jamieson

Words by Robert Jamieson. 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, “Go to him, then”

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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