Traditional Scottish Songs
- When the Kye Come Hame
The Scottish Borders poet James Hogg, also known as the "Ettrick Shepherd" is well known for advocating the "simple life" of the countryside, as in this song. He certainly makes such simple pleasures seem most attractive!
When the Kye Come Hame
Come, all ye jolly shepherds,
That whistle through the glen,
I'll tell ye o' a secret that courtiers dinna ken.
What is the greatest bliss that the tongue o' man can name?
'Tis to woo a bonnie lassie, when the kye come hame,
When the kye come hame, when the kye come hame,
Tween the gloamin' and the mirk,
When the kye come hame.'Tis not beneath the burgonet
Nor yet beneath the crown,
'Tis not on couch of velvet
Nor yet on bed of down;
'Tis beneath the spreading birch
In the dell without a name,
Wi' a bonnie, bonnie lassie
When the kye come hame.Awa' wi' fame and fortune:
What comforts can they gi'e?
And a' the arts that prey upon
Man's life and liberty!
Gi'e me the highest joy
That the heart o' man can frame:
My bonnie, bonnie lassie
When the kye come hame.Meaning of unusual words:
Kye=cattle
gloamin'=dusk, twilight
mirk=dark, night
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
