Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

I heard the evening linnet's voice

Traditional

“I heard the evening linnet's voice” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 184 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 heard the evening linnet's voice the woodland tufts among,

Yet sweeter were the tender notes of Isabella's song!

So soft into the ear they steal, so soft into the soul,

The deep'ning pain of love they soothe, and sorrow's pang control.

I look'd upon the pure brook that murmur'd through the glade,

And mingled in the melody that Isabella made;

Yet purer was the residence of Isabella's heart!

Above the reach of pride and guile, above the reach of art.

I look'd upon the azure of the deep unclouded sky,

Yet clearer was the blue serene of Isabella's eye!

Ne'er softer fell the rain drop of the first relenting year,

Than falls from Isabella's eye the pity-melted tear.

All this my fancy prompted, ere a sigh of sorrow prov'd

How hopelessly, yet faithfully, and tenderly I lov'd!

Yet though bereft of hope I love, still will I love the more,

As distance binds the exile's heart to his dear native shore.

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 heard the evening linnet's voice”

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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