Walter Watson: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Jockie's far awa'

Walter Watson

“Jockie's far awa'” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Walter Watson: Collected Lyrics Text 1 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

Now simmer decks the fields wi' flow'rs,

The woods wi' leaves so green;

And little birds around their bow'rs,

In harmony convene:

The cuckoo flies from tree to tree,

Whilst saft the zephyrs blaw;

But what are a' thae joys to me,

When Jockie'a far awa'?

When Jockie's far awa' at sea,

When Jockie's far awa',

But what are a' thae joys to me,

When Jockie's far awa'?

Last May morn how sweet to see

The little lambkins play,

Whilst my dear lad, alang wi' me,

Did kindly walk this way.

On yon green bank wild flow'rs he pou'd,

To busk my bosom braw;

Sweet, sweet he talk'd, and aft he vow'd,

But now he's far awa'.

But now, &c.

O gentle peace return again,

Bring Jockie to my arms,

Frae dangers on the raging main,

Frae cruel war's alarms,

Gin e'er we meet, nae mair we'll part

As lang's we've breath to draw;

Nae mair I'll sing wi' aching heart,

My Jockie's far awa'.

My Jockie's, &c.

Credits

Written by Walter Watson

Words by Walter Watson. 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, “Jockie's far awa'”

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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