song, composed in spring
    tune—“jockey's grey breeks.”
    again rejoicing nature sees
    her robe assume its vernal hues:
    her leafy locks wave in the breeze,
    all freshly steep'd in morning dews.
    chorus.—and maun i still on menie doat,
    and bear the scorn that's in her e'e?
    for it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk,
    an' it winna let a body be.
    in vain to me the cowslips blaw,
    in vain to me the vi'lets spring;
    in vain to me in glen or shaw,
    the mavis and the lintwhite sing.
    and maun i still, c.
    the merry ploughboy cheers his team,
    wi' joy the tentie seedsman stalks;
    but life to me's a weary dream,
    a dream of ane that never wauks.
    and maun i still, c.
    the wanton coot the water skims,
    amang the reeds the ducklings cry,
    the stately swan majestic swims,
    and ev'ry thing is blest but i.
    and maun i still, c.
    the sheepherd steeks his faulding slap,
    and o'er the moorlands whistles shill:
    wi' wild, unequal, wand'ring step,
    i meet him on the dewy hill.
    and maun i still, c.
    and when the lark, 'tween light and dark,
    blythe waukens by the daisy's side,
    and mounts and sings on flittering wings,
    a woeworn ghaist i hameward glide.
    and maun i still, c.
    come winter, with thine angry howl,
    and raging, bend the naked tree;
    thy gloom will soothe my cheerless soul,
    when nature all is sad like me!
    and maun i still, c.