| Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916. | | | XXVI. Melancholy
From ‘Fair Helen of Kirconnell’ | | Anonymous (17th Century) |
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I WISH I were where Helen lies, | |
| Night and day on me she cries; | |
| O that I were where Helen lies, | |
| On fair Kirconnell lea!… | |
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| O Helen fair, beyond compare! | 5 |
| I’ll mak a garland o’ thy hair, | |
| Shall bind my heart for evermair, | |
| Until the day I die! | |
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| O that I were where Helen lies! | |
| Night and day on me she cries; | 10 |
| Out of my bed she bids me rise, | |
| Says, ‘Haste, and come to me!’— | |
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| O Helen fair! O Helen chaste! | |
| If I were with thee, I’d be blest, | |
| Where thou lies low and taks thy rest, | 15 |
| On fair Kirconnell lea. | |
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| I wish my grave were growing green, | |
| A winding-sheet drawn owre my e’en, | |
| And I in Helen’s arms lying, | |
| On fair Kirconnell lea. | 20 |
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| I wish I were where Helen lies! | |
| Night and day on me she cries; | |
| And I am weary of the skies, | |
| For her sake that died for me. | | | | |
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