Oh Rowan Tree!

All the time we've been in Scotland, the Rowan has been in berry. It seems to vary a lot up and down Argyll, how far on they are. With the time to leave coming up, time to celebrate this beautiful tree right here in the garden where we stay.

I thought this old song's origins were lost in the mists of time, but today I found it was written or collected by Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne (1766–1845), both a song writer and collector. Here's part of Oh Rowan Tree!


Thou'lt aye be dear to me,
Entwined thou art wi mony ties,
O' hame and infancy.
Thy leaves were aye the first o' spring,
Thy flow'rs the simmer's pride;
There was nae sic a bonny tree
In a' the countrieside
Oh! Rowan Tree!

How fair wert thou in simmer time,
Wi’ a’ thy clusters white,
How rich and gay thy autumn dress,
Wi’ berries red and bright!
On thy fair stem were mony names
Which now nae mair I see,
But they’re engraven on my heart—
Forgot they ne’er can be!
O Rowan Tree!