Back back to where the heather grows

AKA Bella MacGraw
First Published 1918
Writer/composer Harry Lauder Roud RN32489

Music Hall Performers Harry Lauder
Folk performances Collected from the singing of:
Robertson, Jeannie; Scotland : Aberdeen; 1962

It is very near five years ago since I sailed for Canada.
I was very sorry when I sailed away
Because I had to leave behind me bonnie Bella McGraw,
For I loved her more than ever I could say;
But I've been savin', savin' just a wee bit ev'ry week,
Savin', savin' for the rainy day;
So after counting up my savin's I'd been savin' up,
I wrote her hame a letter just to say:

Oh! Bella McGraw, tho' you're miles and miles awa,
How I love ye ev'rybody knows.
I know that you are true,
So I'm comin' back to you,
Back, back, to where the heather grows.

It is just about a month ago since I counted up my brass,
Then I booked my passage hame frae Canada.
I couldna close my eyes at nicht thro' thinking on my lass,
But at last I'm hame beside my Bella McGraw;
But I think I'll wait till twelve o'clock afore I let her ken.
By that time she'll be sleepin', sure to be;
Then I'll creep up to the window o' her mither's but-an'-ben,
And sing the song I sent her o'er the sea:

I know I'll no be long at hame afore I tie the knot,
Because I know she's longing to be mine.
Altho' I've been five years away, I know she'll not forget me.
Man! I really do believe that she's divine.
I'm sure I couldn't find another like her if I tried,
Were I to search the worl' thro' and thro'.
I have only one regret this nicht and it is this:
I'm very sorry she's no' here the noo.

Another song written, composed and sung by the prominent Scots comedian Harry Lauder.

It was later collected from the singing of Jeannie Robertson, an extremely important traditional singer from the Scottish traveller community.

Harry sings it in 1917, from archive.com

Sources: