Standing Stones

In one of these lonely Orkney Isles

There dwelled a maiden fair

Her cheeks were red, her eyes were blue

She had yellow, curling hair

Which caught the eye and then the heart

Of one who could never be

A lover of so true a maid

Or fair a form as she

Across the lake in Sandwick

Dwelled a youth she held most true

And ever since her infancy

He had watched those eyes so blue.

The land runs out into the sea

It's a narrow neck of land

Where weird and grim the Standing Stones

In a circle there they stand.

One bonny moonlit Christmas Eve

They met at that sad place

With her heart in glee and the beams of love

Were shining on her face

When her lover came and he grasped her hand

And what loving words they said

They talked of future's happy days

As through the stones they strayed.

They walked toward the lovers' stone

And through it passed their hands

They plighted there a constant troth

Sealed by love's steadfast bands

He kissed his maid and then he watched her

That lonely bridge go o'er

For little, little did he think

He wouldn't see his darling more.

[Chorus:]

Standing stones of the Orkney Isles

Gazing out to sea

Standing stones of the Orkney Isles

Bring my love to me

He turned his face toward his home

That home he did never see

And you shall have the story

As it was told to me

When a form upon him sprang

With a dagger gleaming bright

It pierced his heart and his dying screams

Disturbed the silent night.

This maid had nearly reached her home

When she was startled by a cry

And she turned to look around her

And her love was standing by

His hand was pointing to the stars

And his eyes glazed at the light

And with a smiling countenance

He vanished from her sight.

She quickly turned and home she ran

Not a word of this was said

For well she know at seeing his form

That her faithful love was dead

And from that day she pined away

Not a smile seen on her face

And with outstretched arms she went to meet him

In a brighter place.