O, Were My Love Yon Lilac Fair

O, were my love yon lilac fair

    Wi' purple blossoms to the spring,

And I a bird to shelter there,

    When wearied on my little wing.

How I wad mourn when it was torn

    By Autumn wild and Winter rude!

But I wad sing on wanton wing

    When youthfu May its bloom renew'd.

O, gin my love were yon red rose,

    That grows upon the castle wa',

And I mysel a drap o' dew

    Into her bonie breast to fa',

O, there, beyond expression blest,

    I'd feast on beauty a' the night,

Seal'd on her silk-saft faulds to rest,

    Till fley'd awa by Phoebus' light!