Songs

Scots Song

by James MacMillan From Three Scottish Songs

If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.

Text

Scots Song
English source: William Soutar

O luely, luely, cam she in
And luely she lay doun:
I kent her be her caller lips
And her breists sae sma’ and roun’.

A’ thru the nicht we spak nae word
Nor sinder’d bane frae bane:
A’ thru the nicht I heard her hert
Gang soundin’ wi’ my ain.

It was about the waukrife hour
When cocks begin to craw
That she smool’d saftly thru the mirk
Afore the day wud daw.

Sae luely, luely, cam she in
Saie luely was she gaen;
And wi’ her a’ my simmer days
Like they had never been.

_from William Soutar's poem 'The Tryst'_

Composer

James MacMillan

Sir James Loy MacMillan, CBE (b. 1959) is a Scottish classical composer and conductor.

Poet

William Soutar

William Soutar was a Scottish poet from Perthshire.

Help us with a Donation

Enjoying our texts and translations? Help us continue to offer this service to all.

Make a Donation

Select Tickets