Fairest Maid On Devon Banks

By Robert Burns

I.

Fairest maid on Devon banks,
Crystal Devon, winding Devon,
Wilt thou lay that frown aside,
And smile as thou wert wont to do?
Full well thou know'st I love thee, dear!
Could'st thou to malice lend an ear?
O! did not love exclaim, "Forbear,
Nor use a faithful lover so."

II.

Then come, thou fairest of the fair,
Those wonted smiles, O let me share;
And by thy beauteous self I swear
No love but thine my heart shall know.
Fairest maid on Devon banks,
Crystal Devon, winding Devon,
Wilt thou lay that frown aside,
And smile as thou wert wont to do?

Notes to the poem:

The heroine of this song was sister to the poet's friend, Gavin Hamilton. He had already sung her charms in a fine song, The Banks of Devon.