Ailie Bain O' The Glen
(Eilidh Bhan)


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Lesley Nelson

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The tune is an old Gaelic lullaby from the Celtic Lyre by Henry White. Whyte was a collector of Gaelic folk tunes around the end of the 19th century. The words are a translation by Malcolm MacFarlane. Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Bonnie lassie, winsome lassie;
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Wha' could help but lo'e her?


Here wi' lips foretok'ning kisses,
Waiting dull and wearie;
'Tis nae wonder my heart's wish is
Quickly come my dearie.
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Bonnie lassie, winsome lassie;
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Wha' could help but lo'e her?


A' the lads are daft aboot ye;
A' the bardies praise ye;
Were I ane mysel', I doubt na
I'd gang rhymin' crazy.
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Bonnie lassie, winsome lassie;
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Wha' could help but lo'e her?


On the cauld nichts tho' my plaidie
Shelter'd us but sparely,
Yet my partin' frae beside ye
Seem'd tae come owre early.
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Bonnie lassie, winsome lassie;
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Wha' could help but lo'e her?


What tho' monied cuifs endeavor
Wi' their gowd tae lure ye;
True tae me yer heart beats ever;
Ne'er shall they secure ye!
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Bonnie lassie, winsome lassie;
Ailie Bain o' the glen,
Wha' could help but lo'e her?


From Seventy Scottish Songs
See Bibliography for full information.