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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TWA SYSTRES by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "THE MIRK DID FA' LANG SYNE, LANG SYNE"
Last Line: THEY THAT BE LEEL SLEEP SAFT TAEGITHER
Subject(s): SISTERS;
THE mirk did fa' lang syne, lang syne
When twa fond systres wi' hands that twine
Went doun to bathe whaur the waters shine.
@3Blaw wind, bend beugh in the stormy weather,
They that be leel sleep saft taegither.@1

A ladde rode by as the red sun dipt,
He saw her white whaur the waters whipt.
He tookit her straught in hys airms and clipt.
@3Blaw wind, bend beugh in the stormy weather,
They that be leel sleep saft taegither.@1

"Noo systre deare, when full's your skeel
Gang hame by the road that ye ken weel.
I bide wi' him that is my ain leel."
@3Blaw wind, bend beugh in the stormy weather,
They that be leel sleep saft taegither.@1

Then wan wi' dule she greeted there
Wi' drounded een and hairt maist sair
To gang wi' her systre nevermair.
@3Blaw wind, bend beugh in the stormy weather,
They that be leel sleep saft taegither.@1

"Alas! she cried, "wae's me! wae's me!
She leaves me lain whaur the waters be
To follow her ladde to his ain countree."
@3Blaw wind, bend beugh in the stormy weather,
They that be leel sleep saft taegither.@1

They turned them then nor touchit groun'
Till they rode into the far-off toun
And there were blest wi' the priest abune.
@3Blaw wind, bend beugh in the stormy weather,
They that be leel sleep saft taegither.@1



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