WHEN silent time, wi' lightly foot, Had trod on thirty years, I sought again my native land Wi' mony hopes and fears. Wha kens gin the dear friends I left May still continue mine? Or gin I e'er again shall taste The joys I left langsyne? As I drew near my ancient pile, My heart beat a' the way; Ilk place I passed seemed yet to speak O' some dear former day: -- Those days that followed me afar, Those happy days o' mine, Whilk made me think the present joys A' naething to langsyne. The ivied tower now met my eye, Where minstrels used to blaw; Nae friend stepped forth wi' open hand. Nae weel-kenned face I saw, Till Donald tottered to the door, Wham I left in his prime, And grat to see the lad return He bore about langsyne. I ran to ilka dear friend's room, As if to find them there; I knew where ilk ane used to sit, And hung o'er mony a chair; Till soft remembrance threw a veil Across these een o' mine -- I closed the door, and sobbed aloud, To think on auld langsyne. Some pensy chiels, a new-sprung race, Wad next their welcome pay, Wha shuddered at my Gothic wa's, And wished my groves away. 'Cut, cut,' they cried, 'those aged elms, Lay low yon mournfu' pine! ' 'Na, na! our fathers' names grow there, Memorials o' langsyne.' To wean me fra these waefu' thoughts They took me to the town, But sair on ilka weel-kenned face I missed the youthfu' bloom. At balls they pointed to a nymph Wham a' declared divine: But sure her mother's blushing cheeks Were fairer far langsyne! In vain I sought in music's sound To find that magic art Which oft in Scotland's ancient lays Has thrilled through a' my heart. The sang had mony an artfu' turn: My ear confessed 'twas fine; But missed the simple melody I listened to langsyne. Ye sons to comrades o' my youth, Forgi'e an auld man's spleen, Wha midst your gayest scenes still mourns The days he ance has seen. When time has passed, and seasons fled, Your hearts will feel like mine; And aye the sang will maist delight That minds ye o' lang syne. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CORINNA TO TANAGRA, FROM ATHENS by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR SPANIARDS' GRAVES AT THE ISLES OF SHOALS by CELIA LEIGHTON THAXTER TO CHLOE; AN APOLOGY FOR GOING INTO THE COUNTRY by JOHN WOLCOTT EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 36. GOLD THE PICKLOCK by PHILIP AYRES HOMER by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN |