Cheerly, Soldier

Cheerly, Soldier! the gladdening sun

Springs over Albyn's mountains dun,

Purples each peak, and bravely now

Rests his flaming targe on the Grampians' brow,

Smiles o'er the land of the rock and tarn,

Of thine infant's couch, of thy father's cairn—

The land of the race of dauntless mood,

Who grasp thy hand in brotherhood.—

Cheerly, Soldier!

Cheerly, Soldier! gladsome meeting,

The warm salute, the victor's greeting,

Await thee. Now in blazing hall,

Go thread the maze of the flowery ball;

Encircled fond by a kindred throng,

Tell of glories past—pour the heart-warm song;

Or on yon blue hills the roe pursue

With the sweep of the jovial view-halloo.—

Cheerly, Soldier!

Cheerly, Soldier! she who loves thee

Blythe welcome sings 'neath the trysting tree:

On the breeze of morn the heath-cock dancing,

On the gleaming lake the white swan glancing,

The merry fawn in wanton play,

Chasing his twin down the sunny brae,—

Each thing of life with wilding glee,

Shadows the bliss that waits for thee.—

Cheerly, Soldier!