English Poems Index


Lord Ullin's Daughter :


A Chieftain, to the highlands bound,

Cries, "Boatman, do not tarry!

And I'll give thee a silver pound

To row us o'er the ferry!"-


"Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle,

This dark and stormy weather?"

"0, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle,

And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. -


"And fast before her father's men

Three days we've fled together,

For should he find us in the glen,

My blood would stain the heather.


"His horsemen hard behind us ride;

Should they our steps discover,

Then who will cheer my bonny bride

When they have slain her lover?" -


Out spoke the hardy Highland wight,

"I'll go, my chief- I'm ready:

It is not for your silver bright,

But for your winsome lady:


"And by my word! the bonny bird

In danger shall not tarry;

So, though the waves are raging white,

I’ll row you o'er the ferry."


By this the storm grew loud apace,

The water-wraith was shrieking;

And in the scowl of heaven each face

Grew dark as they were speaking.


But still as wilder blew the wind,

And as the night grew drearer,

Adown the glen rode armed men,

Their trampling sounded nearer.


"0 haste thee, haste!" the lady cries,

''Though tempests round us gather;

I'll meet the raging of the skies,

But not an angry father."


The boat has left a stormy land,

A stormy sea before her, --

When, O! too strong for human hand,

The tempest gather'd o'er her.


And still they row'd amidst the roar

Of waters fast prevailing:

Lord Ullin reach’d that fatal shore,

His wrath was changed to wailing.


For, sore dismay'd through storm and shade,

His child he did discover: --

One lovely hand she stretch'd for aid,

And one was round her lover.


"Come back! Come back!" he cried in grief

"Across this stormy water:

And I'll forgive your highland chief,

My daughter! - 0 my daughter!"


'Twas vain: the loud waves lash'd the shore,

Return or aid preventing:

The water wild went o'er his child,

And he was left lamenting.



By Thomas Campbell



About The Poet :

Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) was born 27th July 1777, in High Street, Glasgow, Scotland. He is chiefly remembered for his sentimental poetry dealing specially with human affairs. He was also one of the initiators of a plan to found what became the University of London. In 1799, he wrote The Pleasures of Hope, a traditional 18th century survey in heroic couplets. He also produced several stirring patriotic war songs - Ye Mariners of England, The Soldier's Dream, Hohen Linden and in 1801, The Battle of the Baltic.



Words to Know :



Tarry : linger, dally

Isle : an island

Glen : a deep narrow valley, especially in the mountains of Scotland.

Heather : low, spreading plant with woody stems, small spiky leaves and purple, pink or white flowers.

Bonny : lovely, attractive

Wight : valiant, skilled in fighting

Winsome : pleasing because of a childlike charm & innocence

Raging : angry, infuriated

Apace : quickly

Wraith : ghost, spectre, spirit

Scowl : frown; black, dirty look

Adown : (archaic) coming down

Trampling : stamping, treading, walking over

Prevailing : conquering, overcoming

Wrath : anger, exasperation

Wailing : lamenting, crying, bemoaning

Sore : in pain, distressed, pained

Dismayed : disconcerted, shocked, disturbed

Vain : futile, useless, to no avail

Lashed : beat against, pounded, dashed against

Lamenting : wailing, moaning, sobbing