The poem
LOUD blaw the frosty breezes, The snaws the mountains cover; Like winter on me seizes, Since my young Highland rover Far wanders nations over. Where’er he go, where’er he stray, May heaven be his warden; Return him safe to fair Strathspey, And bonie Castle-Gordon!
The trees, now naked groaning, Shall soon wi’ leaves be hinging, The birdies dowie moaning, Shall a’ be blythely singing, And every flower be springing; Sae I’ll rejoice the lee-lang day, When by his mighty Warden My youth’s return’d to fair Strathspey, And bonie Castle-Gordon.