(William Motherwell)
Wae be tae the order that mairched my love awa'
And wae be tae the cruel cause that gars my tears doon fa'
And wae be tae those bloody wars in High Germany
For they hae ta'en my love and left a broken hairt tae me
'Twas early in the mornin' afore the screech o' day
The wee wee fifes did loudly shrill while yet the morn was grey
The bonnie flags were a' unfurled, a gallant sight tae see
As I gaed there tae see my love embark for Germany
Lang, lang is the traivel tae the bonnie pier o' Leith
An' dreich it is tae gang wi' the snaw-drift in your teeth
And oh, the cauld wind froze the tears that gathered in ma e'e
As I gaed there tae see my love embark for Germany
dreich - dreary, sad
(as sung by Iain MacKintosh)