free-verse24 lines

Maggie

Maggie, I ken that ye are happ'd in glory

And nane can gar ye greet;

The joys o' Heaven are evermair afore ye,

It's licht about yer feet.

I ken nae waefu' thochts can e'er be near ye

Nor sorrow fash yer mind,

In yon braw place they winna let ye weary

For him ye left behind.

Thae nichts an' days when dule seems mair nor double

I'll need to dae my best,

For aye ye took the half o' ilka trouble,

And noo I'd hae ye rest.

Yer he'rt'll be the same he'rt since yer flittin',

Gin auld love doesna tire,

Sae dinna look an' see yer lad that's sittin'

His lane aside the fire.

The sky is keen wi' dancin' stars in plenty,

The New Year frost is strang;

But, O my lass! because the Auld Year kent ye

I'm sweir to let it gang!

But time drives forrit; and on ilk December

There waits a New Year yet,

An naething bides but what our he'rts remember -

Maggie, ye'll na forget?