Thomas Lyle: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Kelvin Grove

Thomas Lyle

“Kelvin Grove” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Thomas Lyle: Collected Lyrics Text 3 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

Let us haste to Kelvin grove, bonnie lassie, O,

Through its mazes let us rove, bonnie lassie, O,

Where the rose in all her pride.

Paints the hollow dingle side,

Where the midnight fairies glide, bonnie lassie, O,

Let us wander by the mill, bonnie lassie, O,

To the cove beside the rill, bonnie lassie, O.

Where the glens rebound the call,

Of the roaring waters' fall,

Thro' the mountain's rocky hall, bonnie lassie, O.

O Kelvin banks are fair, bonnie lassie, O,

When in summer we are there, bonnie lassie, O,

There, the May-pink's crimson plume.

Throws a soft, but sweet perfume,

Round the yellow banks of broom, bonnie lassie, O.

Though I dare not call thee mine, bonnie lassie, O,

As the smile of fortune's thine, bonnie lassie, O,

Yet with fortune on my side,

I could stay thy father's pride.

And win thee for my bride, bonnie lassie, O.

But the frowns of fortune lower, bonnie lassie, O,

On thy lover at this hour, bonnie lassie, O,

Ere yon golden orb of day

Wake the warblers on the spray.

From this land I must away, bonnie lassie, O.

Then farewell to Kelvin grove, bonnie lassie, O,

And adieu to all I love, bonnie lassie, O,

To the river winding clear,

To the fragrant scented breer,

Even to thee of all most dear, bonnie lassie, O.

When upon a foreign shore, bonnie lassie, O,

Should I fall midst battle's roar, bimnie lassie, O,

Then, Helen! shouldst thou hear

Of thy lover on his bier,

To his memory shed a tear, bonnie lassie, O.

Credits

Written by Thomas Lyle

Words by Thomas Lyle. 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, “Kelvin Grove”

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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