Complete Songs Of Robert Burns - online book

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	154 TONE-POETRY OF ROBERT BURNS
	No. 172. The heather was blooming. Tune : The Tailor's March.



	The heather was blooming, the meadows were mawn, Our lads gaed a-hunting ae day at the dawn, O'er moors and o'er mosses and monie a glen ; At length they discover'd a bonie moor-hen. Chorus. I rede you, beware at the hunting, young men! I rede you, beware at the hunting, young men I Take some on the wing, and some as they spring, But cannily steal on a bonie moor-hen. Sweet-brushing the dew from the brown heather bells, Her colours betrayed her on yon mossy fells; Her plumage outlustred the pride o' the spring, And O ! as she wanton'd sae gay on the wing, Auld Phcebus himsel, as he peeped o'er the hill, In spite at her plumage he tried his skill; He levell'd his rays where she bask'd on the brae— His rays were outshone, and but mark'd where she lay.