Another poem by Abijah Murray
Although the poem is not dated, the assumption must be that Abijah wrote this poem in his youth, before he got married. It was signed "Abijah Murray Jnr" - which suggests that his father was still alive. (His father died in 1885). The address he gave was 27 Elder Street, Edinburgh - where we know from the Census that he was living with his widowed father and sister Maria in 1881. By March 1883 the family had moved to 15 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh: we know that from Abijah senior's last Will and Testament. He must also have submitted it to either a competition, or a newspaper or journal that offered prizes for poetry. [Prize - 10s] "The summer sun is sinkin' low
"Fu' clear an' deep aneath our feet
"Lang hae I lo'ed that yellow hair,
"I canna boast o' noble birth
"He laid his hand upon her neck,
Aneath you golden cluds,
The little burdies seek their nests
Amang the darklin' wuds;
Nae e'e can see us as we sit
Upon this bank sae breery;
Then, lassie, lay thy loof in mine,
An' say thou art my dearie.
The burn rins tae the sea;
But deeper, ay, and purer, tae,
The love I bear tae thee.
An' while this bonnie burnie rins
My love sall never weary;
Then, lassie, lay thy loof in mine,
An' say thou art my dearie.
That curls aroun' thy broo;
Lang hae I lo'ed thy dimpled cheek,
Thy rosy, smilin' mou'.
But mair I lo'e thy gentle heart'
Sae kind, sae pure, sae cheery;
Then, lassie, lay thy loof in mine,
An' say thou art my dearie.
Or wealth in gowd or lan';
But I've a leal an' lovin' heart,
A strong an' willin' han'.
An' here I vow, that, while I live,
Distress sall ne'er come near thee;
Then, lassie, lay thy loof in mine,
An' say thou art my dearie.
In loving fond embrace;
She leaned her head upon his arm,
And looked into his face.
A blush of joy o'erspread her cheek,
Her eyes were bright an' cheery;
She took his hand, she raised her lips -
He smiled, and kissed his dearie."