Traditional: Collected Lyrics
183 / 291
Public-domain lyrics

I have listen'd

Traditional

“I have listen'd” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 183 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

I have listen'd to your sang, bonnie lassie, O,

And thought the time nae lang, bonnie lassie, O;

There was something in your lay,

O' that saft sweet melody,

I will mind for mouy a day, bonnie lassie, O.

It was o' that pleasant kind, bonnie lassie, O,

That can soothe a weary mind, bonnie lassie,;

It was far more dear to me

Than the blossom on the tree,

To the cheerfu' humming bee, bonnie lassie, O.

I'll sometimes think on thee, bonnie lassie, O,

That sung of Gregorie, bonnie lassie, O,

I'll mind the magic spell

O' thy voice's dulcet swell,

On my ear that softly fell, bonnie lassie, O.

E'en though I should be afar, bonnie lassie, O,

Where other winds do war, bonnie lassie, O,

In cottage, bower, or hall,

When the evening shadows fall,

To my memory thee I'll call, bonnie lassie, O.

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, “I have listen'd”

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.
Keep tracing

More from Traditional: Collected Lyrics.

01A good old SongPublic-domain lyrics02I canna be fashedPublic-domain lyrics03It's weel it's nae waurPublic-domain lyrics04'Twas na her bonnie blue e'ePublic-domain lyrics