...him ! he stopp'd in sight, And sang where I could hear and see. Two simple notes were all he sang, And yet my manhood fled away ; Dear God ! The earth...dead, Rose up, fair-fashion'd, at the call Of that grey bird, whose voice had shed The charm of boyhood over all. O early hopes and sweet spring tears...

...on him! he stopp'd in sight, And sang where I could hear and see. Two simple notes were all he sang, And yet my manhood fled away; Dear God ! The earth...all around as I became Among my mates a bearded boy, For all my purer life, now dead, Rose up, fair-fashion'd, at the call Of that gray bird, whose voice...

...him ! he stopp'd in sight, And sang where I could hear and see. Two simple notes were all he sang, And yet my manhood fled away ; Dear God ! The earth...the shame. For all my purer life, now dead, Rose up, fair-fashioned, at the call Of that gray bird, whose voice had shed The charm of boyhood over all....

...came; the gray on neck and wings Turn'd white against the happy sun. Two simple notes were all he sang, And yet my manhood fled away; Dear God ! The earth...mates a bearded boy, That could have wept but for the shame.'1 Among the Dumfriesshire lyrists who have passed away since the present century began are two...

...him ! he stopp'd in sight : And sang where I could hear and see. Two simple notes were all he sang, And yet my manhood fled away; Dear God ! the earth...the shame. For all my purer life, now dead, Rose up, fair fashion'd, at the call Of that grey bird, whose voice had shed The charm of boyhood over all....