Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Land o' the Leal

Traditional

“Land o' the Leal” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 222 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'm wearing awa', Jean,

Like snaw when it is thaw, Jean;

I'm wearing awa', Jean,

To the land o' the leal.

There's nae sorrow there, Jean,

There's neither cauld nor care, Jean,

The day is aye fair, Jean,

In the land o' the leal.

Ye were aye leal and true, Jean,

Your task's ended now, Jean,

And I'll welcome you

To the land o' the leal.

Our bonnie bairn's there, Jean,

She was baith guid and fair, Jean,

And we grudged her right sair

To the land o' the leal.

Then dry that tearfu' e'e, Jean,

Wy soul langs to be free, Jean,

And angels wait on me

To the land o' the leal.

Now, fare ye weel, my ain Jean,

This warld's care is vain, Jean,

We'll meet and aye be fain

In the land o' the leal.

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, “Land o' the Leal”

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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