Lochnagar

Away, ye gay landscapes, ye gardens of roses

In you let the minions of luxury rove

Restore me the rocks where the snow-flake reposes

Though still they are sacred to freedom and love

Yet Caledonia, belov'd are thy mountains

Round their white summits the elements war

Though cataracts foam 'stead of smooth-flowing fountains

I sigh for the valley of dark Lochnagar

Ah! there my young footsteps in infancy wander'd

My cap was the bonnet, my cloak was my plaid

On chieftains long perish'd my memory ponder'd

As daily I strode thro' the pine cover'd glade

I sought not my home till the day's dying glory

Gave place to the rays of the bright Polar star

For fancy was cheer'd by traditional story

Disclos'd by the natives of dark Lochnagar!

Years have roll'd on, Lochnagar, since I left you!

Years must elapse ere I tread you again

Though nature of verdure and flow'rs has bereft you

Yet still are you dearer than Albion's plain

England, thy beauties are tame and domestic

To one who has roamed over mountains afar

O! for the crags that are wild and majestic

The steep frowning glories of dark Lochnagar