Digital Tradition Mirror

Ona Bank of Flowers

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Ona Bank of Flowers
(Robert Burns)

On a bank of flowers in a summer day
  For summer lightly drest,
The youthful, blooming Nelly lay,
  With love and sleep opprest;
When Willie, wand'ring thro the wood,
  Who for her favour oft had su'd-
He gaz'd, he wish'd,He fear'd, he blush'd,
And trembled where he stood.
Her closed eyes, like weapons sheath'd,
  Were seal'd in soft repose;
Her lips, still as she fragrant breath'd,
  It richer dyed the rose.
The springing lilies, sweetly prest,
Wild-wanton kiss'd her rival breast:
  He gaz'd, he wish'd,He fear'd, he blush'd,
His bosom ill at rest.
Her robes, light-waving in the breeze,
  Her tender limbs embrace;
Her lovely form, her native ease,
  All harmony and grace.
Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,
A faltering, ardent kiss he stole;
  He gaz'd, he wish'd, He  ear'd, he blush'd,
And sigh'd his very soul.
As flies the partridge from the brake
  On fear-inspired wings,
So Nelly starting, half-awake,
  Awar affrighted springs.
But Willie, follow'd - as he should,
He overtook her in the wood;
  He vow'd, he pray'd, He found the maid
Forgiving all, and good.

tune: On a bank of flowers (292)
ARB

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!