SONGS OF THE HEATHER. 



Here's a health to the land where we first saw the light, 



The home of our kindred and lovers, 

 Whose sod yet shall screen us in death's gloomy night, 



As now many loved ones it covers ; 

 May virtue and freedom stand firm by her side, 



Each dark weed that stains her soon wither; 

 Then join heart and hand, all upstanding in pride, 



Here's the land of the bright blooming heather. 

 Hugh MacDonald ; 1817-1860. 



Sweet Heather Bell 



The emblems of nations are sung of with rapture, 



And many are the flowers which in beauty excel, 

 But I'll sing of a wild flower that decks our rough 



mountains, 



And blooms round the cot where my Flora doth 

 dwell. 



Chorus. 



Sweet heather bell, where fairies do dwell, 

 In legends of daring what deeds there befel. 

 The sweet heather bell is sae like hersel'. 

 My ain native blossom, my sweet heather bell. 



When the sun frae the east sheds his rays on this 



blossom, 



Its fragrance perfumes a' the moorland arid dell, 

 But a glance from my Flora is life's dearest treasure. 

 And moves my fond heart with love's glowing 

 spell. 



J. H. Devon. 



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