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  • The Field by the Lirk o’ the Hill
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The Field by the Lirk o’ the Hill

Violet Jacob

Daytime an’ nicht,
Sun, wind an’ rain;
The lang, cauld licht
O’ the spring months again.
The yaird’s a’ weed,
An’ the fairm’s a’ still –
Wha’ll sow the seed
I’ the field by the lirk o’ the hill?

Prood maun ye lie,
Prood did ye gang;
Auld, auld am I,
But O! life’s lang!
Ghaists i’ the air,
Whaups cryin’ shrill,
An you nae mair
I’ the field by the lirk o’ the hill –
Aye, bairn, nae mair, nae mair,
I’ the field by the lirk o’ the hill!


Violet Jacob

from More Songs of Angus and Others (London: Country Life, 1918)

Tags:

bereavement farming North-East Scotland Scots spring time passing World War I
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Violet Jacob1863 - 1946

Violet Jacob, known for her novels of Scottish history and her poetry written in the rich dialect of Angus, was born into an aristocratic family, and lived her adult life as an officer’s wife in England and abroad.
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