The Flowers of the Forrest

I've seen the smiling of fortune beguiling, I've felt its favours, and found its decay; Sweet was its blessing, kind its caressing, But now 'tis fled—fled far away!

I've seen the forrest adorned the foremost, With flowers of the fairest, most pleasant and gay, Sae bonny their blooming, their scent the air persuming; But now they are wither'd and weeded away.

I've seen the morning with gold the hills adorning, And loud tempests storming before the mid-day; I've seen Tweed's silver streams shinning in the funny beams Grow drumly and dark as he row'd on his way.

O! fickle Fortune, why this cruel sporting? O! why still perplex us poor sons of a day? Nae mair your smiles can cheer me—nae mair your frowns can fear me, For the flowers of the forrest are wither'd away.