Black is the Colour

November 2023

Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair

Traditional Scottish Song

Black, black, black

is the colour

of my true love’s hair

His face is soft and wondrous fair

The sweetest eyes

and the strongest hands

I love the ground whereon he stands.

I love my love and well he knows,

I love the ground whereon he goes,

If you no more on earth I see,

I can’t serve you as you have me.

The winter’s passed

and the leaves are green

The time is passed that we have seen

But still I hope the time will come

When you and I shall be as one

I go to the Clyde

for to mourn and weep

But satisfied I ne’er could sleep

I’ll write to you

a few short lines

I’ll suffer death

ten thousand times.

So fare you well,

my own true love . . .

The time is passed

I wish you well

And still I hope

the time will come

When you and I will be as one.

Black is the colour

of my true love’s hair

His face is soft

and wondrous fair

The sweetest eyes

and the strongest hands

I love the ground whereon he stands . . .

My love.

Mo ghràdh,

Bheir mi mo pheann airson na beagan loidhnichean seo a sgrìobhadh thugad.

Tha mi gu doigheal.

Tapadh le Dia air a shon !

tha mi a’ caoidh — leig fios dhomh mar a tha thu. Bidh mi dìleas dhut gu bàs.

D—

My love,

I take my pen to write to you these few lines.

I am well.

Thank God for it!

I prithee — let me know how thou dost fare. I remain yours true till death.

D—