Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Mary 2

Traditional

“Mary 2” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 255 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

"In life's gay morn," when hopes beat high,

And youthfu' love's endearing tie

Gave rapture to the mutual sigh

Within the arms of Mary,

My ain dear Mary;

Nae joys beneath the vaulted sky

Could equal mine wi' Mary.

The sacred hours like moments flew,

Soft transports thrill'd my bosom through

The warl' evanish'd frae my view

Within the arms of Mary;

My ain dear Mary,

Nae gloomy cares my soul e'er knew

Within the arms of Mary.

Young fancy spread her visions gay,

Love fondly view'd the fair display,

Hope show'd the blessfu' nuptial day

And I was rapt with Mary;

My ain dear Mary,

The flowers of Eden strew'd the way

That led me to my Mary.

But life is now a dreary waste,

I, lanely, wander sair depress'd,

For cold and lifeless is that breast

Where throbb'd the heart of Mary;

My ain dear Mary,

She's gane to seats of blissfa' rest,

And I ha'e lost my Mary.

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, “Mary 2”

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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