1. When I’ve C done the work of Emi day Ami
and I F rowed my Dmi boat Emi away Ami
down the F waters G of Loch Emi Tay Ami
when the D evening light is G falling
then I C look toward Ben Emi Lawers Ami
where the F after Dmi glories Emi glow Ami
and I F dream of G two bright Emi eyes Ami
with a Dmi merry G mouth be C low
she’s my F beauteous Dmi nighean Emi rua Ami dh
she’s my F joy and Dmi sorrow Emi too Ami
though I F own she Dmi is not Emi true Ami
oh but I D cannot live wit G hout her
for my C heart’s a boat in Emi tow Ami
and I’d F give the Dmi world to Emi know Ami
if she F means to G let me Emi go Ami
as I Dmi sing ho G ri ho C ro.
2. Nighean ruadh I do declare
there’s more beauty in your hair
than all the tresses fair
from Killin to Aberfeldy
be they lint-white gold or brown
be they blacker than the sloe
they mean not as much to me
as a melting flake of snow
and her dance is like the gleam
of the sunlight on the stream
and the songs that we folk sing
oh they’re the songs she sings at milking
but my heart is full of woe
for last night she bade me go
and the tears begin to flow
as I sing hori horo.
3.=1.
Asonance
