Walter Scott: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Jock o' Hazeldean

Walter Scott

“Jock o' Hazeldean” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Walter Scott: Collected Lyrics Text 3 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

"Why weep ye by the tide, ladye—

Why weep ye by the tide?

I'll wed ye to my youngest son,

And ye shall be his bride;

And ye shall be his bride, ladye,

Sae comely to be seen:"

But aye she loot the tears down fa',

For Jock o' Hazeldean.

"Now let this wilful grief be done,

And dry that cheek so pale:

Young Frank is chief of Errington,

And lord of Langley dale;

His step is first in peaceful ha'

His sword in battle keen:"

But aye she loot the tears down fa',

For Jock o' Hazeldean.

"A chain o' gold ye sall not lack,

Nor braid to bind your hair,

Nor mettled hound, nor managed hawk,

Nor palfrey fresh and fair;

And you, the foremost o' them a',

Shall ride our forest queen:"

But aye she loot the tears down fa',

For Jock o' Hazeldean.

The kirk was decked at morning-tide,

The tapers glimmered fair;

The priest and bridegroom wait the bride,

And dame and knight were there:

They sought her baith by bower and ha';

The ladye was not seen!—

She's o'er the border, and awa'

Wi' Jock o' Hazeldean!

Credits

Written by Walter Scott

Words by Walter Scott. 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, “Jock o' Hazeldean”

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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