Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Anna 1

Traditional

“Anna 1” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 30 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

O fare thee weel, fair Cartha's side,

For ever, ever fare thee weel!

Upon thy banks I've oft enjoy'd

What virtuous love alone can feel.

With Anna as I fondly stray'd,

And mark'd the gowan's hamely mien,

The vi'let blue, the primrose gay,

Enrich'd the joyful fairy scene.

The sun had set, the western clouds

Began to lose their radiance bright,

The mavis' tuneful note was hush'd.

And all proclaim'd approaching night;

Then was the time I fondly pour'd

In Anna's ear my ardent tile,

She blush'd, and oft I fondly thought

That love like mine would soon prevail.

She spoke, she look'd as if she lov'd,

Yet, ah! how false was Anna's heart!

Though heavenly fair her angel form,—

How fraught with guile, how full of art!

Now far from Anna, far from home,

By Lugar's stream I sadly mourn;

I think on scenes I still must love,

On scenes that never can return.

O fare thee weel, fair Cartha's banks,

And Anna—O!—a long fareweel!

Nor ever may that pang be thine,

Which my sad heart so oft doth feel.

But happy, happy may'st thou be,

By fairy scenes on Cartha's side,

And may a better far than me,

Through life be thy true love and guide.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. 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, “Anna 1”

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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