Chapter 593 of 984
CCXXXV.
The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence.: With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham · Robert Burns, Allan Cunningham
CCXXXV.
O PHILLY, HAPPY BE THAT DAY.
Tune-"_The Sow's Tail._"
["This morning" (19th November, 1794), "though a keen blowing frost," Burns writes to Thomson, "in my walk before breakfast I finished my duet: whether I have uniformly succeeded, I will not say: but here it is for you, though it is not an hour old."]
HE.
O Philly, happy be that day, When roving through the gather'd hay, My youthfu' heart was stown away, And by thy charms, my Philly.
SHE.
O Willy, ay I bless the grove Where first I own'd my maiden love, Whilst thou didst pledge the powers above, To be my ain dear Willy.
HE.
As songsters of the early year Are ilka day mair sweet to hear, So ilka day to me mair dear And charming is my Philly.
SHE.
As on the brier the budding rose Still richer breathes and fairer blows, So in my tender bosom grows The love I bear my Willy.
HE.
The milder sun and bluer sky That crown my harvest cares wi' joy, Were ne'er sae welcome to my eye As is a sight o' Philly.
SHE.
The little swallow's wanton wing, Tho' wafting o'er the flowery spring, Did ne'er to me sic tidings bring, As meeting o' my Willy.
HE.
The bee that thro' the sunny hour Sips nectar in the opening flower, Compar'd wi' my delight is poor, Upon the lips o' Philly.
SHE.
The woodbine in the dewy weet When evening shades in silence meet, Is nocht sae fragrant or sae sweet As is a kiss o' Willy.
HE.
Let Fortune's wheel at random rin, And fools may tyne, and knaves may win My thoughts are a' bound up in ane, And that's my ain dear Philly.
SHE.
What's a' joys that gowd can gie? I care nae wealth a single flie; The lad I love's the lad for me, And that's my ain dear Willy.
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