Traditional Scottish Songs
- Kelvin Grove

River Kelvin


Here is a song about a an area of woodland, beside the river Kelvin, which was a favourite spot for young lovers to meet.


Kelvin Grove

Let us haste to Kelvin Grove, bonnie lassie, O,
Through it's mazes let us rove, bonnie lassie, O:
Where the rose in all her pride,
Paints the hollow dingle side,
Where the midnight fairies glide, bonnie lassie, O.

Let us wander by the mill, bonnie lassie, O,
To the cove beside the rill, bonnie lassie, O;
Where the glens rebound the call
Of the roaring waters' fall,
Through the mountain's rocky hall, bonnie lassie, O.

O Kelvin banks are fair, bonnie lassie, O,
When the summer we are there, bonnie lassie, O;
There the May-pink's crimson plume
Throws a soft, but sweet perfume
Round the yellow banks of broom, bonnie lassie, O.

Though I dare not call thee mine, bonnie lassie, O,
As the smile of fortune's thine, bonnie lassie, O;
Yet with fortune on my side,
I could stay thy father's pride,
And win thee for my bride, bonnie lassie, O.

But the frowns of fortune lour, bonnie lassie, O,
On thy lover at this hour, bonnie lassie, O;
Ere yon golden orb of day
Wake the warblers on the spray,
From this land I must away, bonnie lassie, O.

Then farewell to Kelvin Grove, bonnie lassie, O,
And adieu to all I love, bonnie lassie, O;
To the river winding clear,
To the fragrant scented brier,
E'en to thee of all most dear, bonnie lassie, O.

When upon a foreign shore, bonnie lassie, O,
Should I fall midst battle's roar, bonnie lassie, O;
Then Helen, shouldst thou hear
Of thy lover on his bier,
To his memory shed a tear, bonnie lassie, O.

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs




Where else would you like to go in Scotland?








Separator line