Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Braxfield Braes

Traditional

“Braxfield Braes” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 64 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

On Braxfield Braes, amang the broom,

How happie ha'e I been!

When June gard a' the meadows blume,

And clad the woods in green.

Owre Gallitudlum to the burn

How mirrie did I rove!

My steps by pleasant Clyde to turn,

Or sit in Willie's cove.

To catch the menon or the eel

Wi' artless hook I tried;

Then owr the beuchs and craigs to speel

Wi' eager haste I hied.

Syne ran the linties nest to see,

Or plaie at penny stane,

Ah, days of youth, how sweet are ye!

But ye ne'er cum again!

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, “Braxfield Braes”

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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