The Lass of Glenshee
Altan Lyrics

One morning in springtime as day was a-dawning
On a bright spring morning, just as the day was beginning

Bright Phoebus had risen from over the lea
The sun had risen and was shining over the meadow

I spied a fair maiden as homeward she wandered
I saw a beautiful young woman as she walked home

From herding her flocks on the hills of Glenshee
After tending to her sheep on the hills of Glenshee

I stood in amazement, says I, "Pretty fair maid
I was astonished and said, "Beautiful lady

If you will come down to St. John's Town with me
If you come with me to St. John's Town

There's ne'er been a lady set foot in my castle
No woman has ever entered my castle

There's ne'er been a lady dressed grander than thee"
No woman has ever been dressed more elegantly than you

A coach and six horses to go at your bidding
I will provide a carriage with six horses that will take you anywhere you wish to go

And all men that speak shall say "ma'am unto thee
Everyone who speaks to you will address you as "ma'am"

Fine servants to serve you and go at your bidding
I will provide you with excellent servants who will obey your every command

I'll make you my bride, my sweet lass of Glenshee
I will marry you and you will become my beloved wife, the lass of Glenshee

"Oh what do I care for your castles and coaches?
"I do not care about your castles and carriages

And what do I care for your gay grandeury?
Or your lavish displays of wealth and power?

I'd rather be home at my cot, at my spinning
I would rather be at home, spinning wool in my cottage

Or herding my flocks on the hills of Glenshee"
Or tending to my sheep on the hills of Glenshee"

"Away with such nonsense and get up beside me
"Forget such talk and come with me

E'er summer comes on my sweet bride you will be
Before summer arrives, you will be my lovely bride

And then in my arms I will gently caress thee"
And then I will hold you in my arms and lovingly care for you"

'Twas then she consented, I took her with me
She agreed, and I took her with me

Seven years have rolled on since we were united
Seven years have passed since we were married

There's many's a change, but there's no change on me
Many things have changed, but my love for her remains unaltered

And my love, she's as fair as that morn on the mountain
And my wife is still as beautiful as she was when I first saw her on the mountain

When I plucked me a wild rose on the hills of Glenshee
And picked a wild rose on the hills of Glenshee