Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Fairest of her days

Traditional

“Fairest of her days” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 109 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

Whoe'er beholds my Helen's face,

And says not that good hap has she;

Who hears her speak, and tents her grace,

Sall think nane ever spake but she.

The short way to resound her praise

She is the lairest of her days.

Who knows her wit, and not admires,

He maun be deem'd devoid of skill;

Her virtues kindle strong desires

In them that think upon her still.

The short way, &c.

Her red is like unto the rose

Whase buds are op'ning to the sun,

Her comely colours do disclose

The first degree of ripeness won.

The short way, &c.

And with the red is mixt the white,

Like to the sun and fair moonshine,

That does upon clear waters light,

And makes the colour seem divine.

The short way, &c.

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, “Fairest of her days”

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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