Traditional: Collected Lyrics
193 / 291
Public-domain lyrics

Isabell

Traditional

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

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 193 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

O sweet is summer's scented breath,

When flowers bloom rich in muir and dell,

But sweeter far, and bonnier baith,

Is rosy-cheeked Isabell.

O my dear Isabell,

O my lovely Isabell,

Time may change, and hearts may range,

But still I'll love my Isabell.

O what to me were wealth or worth?

O what were blessed life itsel'?

Or what the joys and gems of earth,

Without the love of Isabell?

O my dear Isabell,

O my lovely Isabell,

She's a' to me that saint should be,

My joy and jewel Isabell.

I feel that poverty is bless'd,

It has mair joys than tongue can tell;

For were I rich, I'd ne'er possess'd

The bosom love of Isabell.

O my dear Isabell,

O my lovely Isabell,

I bless my lot, because it's got

My rosy-cheeked Isabell.

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, “Isabell”

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