Land of the Leal
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Lesley Nelson
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Lyrics
The melody is an old air, Hey, tuttie, tattie.

Lady Nairne wrote the words when the only child of her friend, Mrs. Archibald Campbell Colquhoun (who had been a love of Sir Walter Scott at one time) died. Robert Burns then "adapted" the lyrics further.

For a complete list of Lady Nairne tunes at this site, enter Lady Nairne in the search engine.

For a complete list of Burns tunes at this site, enter enter Robert Burns in the search engine.

I'm wearin' awa' Jean,
Like snaw-wreaths in thaw, Jean,
I'm wearin' awa'
To the land o' the leal.
There's nae sorrow there, Jean
There's neither cauld nor care, Jean,
The day's aye fair
In the land o' the leal.

To me ye hae bee true Jean,
Your task's ended noo, Jean
For near kythes my view
O' the land o' the leal.
Our bonnie bairn's there, Jean,
She was baith gude and fair, Jean,
And, oh! we grud'd her sair
To the land o' the leal.

But dry that tearfu' ee Jean,
Grieve na for her and me, Jean
Frae sin and sorrow free
I' the land o' the leal.
Now fare ye weel, may ain Jean!
This warld's cares are vain, Jean,
We'll meet and aye be fein
I' the land o' the leal.
Related Links
 There is a beautiful version of Land of the Leal on
Andy Stewart's The Man in the Moon
From Seventy Scottish Songs
See Bibliography for full information.