Jeanie’s Distress

Lyrics

By William late offended I blam'd him, I allow And then my anger ended And he is angry now And I in turn am chided For what I ne'er design'd; And tho'by love misguided Am call'd myself unkind So now, when I am nigh him My looks must coldness wear; They tell me I must fly him At market and at fair; Nor near the thorn-tree meet him At evening, I suppose Nor in the morning greet him As by the door he goes Nor at the kirk perceive him But ponder on my book; With downcast eyes deceive him Tho' stealing oft a look Alas! How long must nature This cruel war maintain? Content in every feature While writhes my heart with pain? O William, dost thou love me? Oh! Sure I need not fear; How, dearest, would it move thee To see this falling tear! Too heedless, thoughtless lover From what thyself must feel Why canst thou not discover What Jeanie must conceal?