Robert Burns - The Minstrel At Lincluden lyrics

Tune—"Cumnock Psalms." As I stood by yon roofless tower, Where the wa'flow'r scents the dery air, Where the howlet mourns in her ivy bower, And tells the midnight moon her care. Chorus—A la**ie all alone, was making her moan, Lamenting our lads beyond the sea: In the bluidy wars they fa', and our honour's gane an' a', And broken-hearted we maun die. The winds were laid, the air was till, The stars they shot along the sky; The tod was howling on the hill, And the distant-echoing glens reply. A la**ie all alone, &c. The burn, adown its hazelly path, Was rushing by the ruin'd wa', Hasting to join the sweeping Nith, Whase roarings seem'd to rise and fa'. A la**ie all alone, &c. The cauld blae North was streaming forth Her lights, wi' hissing, eerie din, Athort the lift they start and shift, Like Fortune's favours, tint as win. A la**ie all alone, &c. Now, looking over firth and fauld, Her horn the pale-faced Cynthia rear'd, When lo! in form of Minstrel auld, A stern and stalwart ghaist appear'd. A la**ie all alone, &c. And frae his harp sic strains did flow, Might rous'd the slumbering Dead to hear; But oh, it was a tale of woe, As ever met a Briton's ear! A la**ie all alone, &c. He sang wi' joy his former day, He, weeping, wail'd his latter times; But what he said—it was nae play, I winna venture't in my rhymes. A la**ie all alone, &c.