William Soutar

1898-1943 / Scotland

The Quiet

Ayont the Caller Fountain
Whan gowks were in the schaw,
We gether'd the wild roses
That were sae white and sma';
And kent they süne wud fa'.

We gether'd the wild roses,
And heard on yon hillside
The burn rin to the water
That was baith deep and wide,
And taen it to the tide.

Whaur are the merry faces;
The herts that aince were dear?
Listen! there is a quiet
Steady ablow a' steer:
The sang we didna hear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beyond the fresh fountain
When cuckoos were in the wood
We gathered the wild roses
That were so white and small
And we knew they soon would fall.

We gathered the wild roses
And heard upon that hillside
The stream run with the water
That was both deep and wide
And carry it to the tide.

Where are the merry faces;
The hearts that once were dear?
Listen! There is a quiet,
Steady below the commotion,
Is the song we did not hear.
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