November 2023
Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair
Traditional Scottish Song
Black, black, black
is the colour
of my true love’s hair
His face is soft and wondrous fair
The sweetest eyes
and the strongest hands
I love the ground whereon he stands.
I love my love and well he knows,
I love the ground whereon he goes,
If you no more on earth I see,
I can’t serve you as you have me.
The winter’s passed
and the leaves are green
The time is passed that we have seen
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I shall be as one
I go to the Clyde
for to mourn and weep
But satisfied I ne’er could sleep
I’ll write to you
a few short lines
I’ll suffer death
ten thousand times.
So fare you well,
my own true love . . .
The time is passed
I wish you well
And still I hope
the time will come
When you and I will be as one.
Black is the colour
of my true love’s hair
His face is soft
and wondrous fair
The sweetest eyes
and the strongest hands
I love the ground whereon he stands . . .
My love.
Mo ghràdh,
Bheir mi mo pheann airson na beagan loidhnichean seo a sgrìobhadh thugad.
Tha mi gu doigheal.
Tapadh le Dia air a shon !
tha mi a’ caoidh — leig fios dhomh mar a tha thu. Bidh mi dìleas dhut gu bàs.
D—
My love,
I take my pen to write to you these few lines.
I am well.
Thank God for it!
I prithee — let me know how thou dost fare. I remain yours true till death.
D—