Down by the river Cree I stray
This lovely day in June;
The birds are sweetly singing.
The wild rose is in bloom,
The sparkling waters flowing
From the high-land rocks set free
In kingly style and glory by
The bonnie banks o' Cree.
O, if I were an artist true
I'd paint this scene so fair--
Fields and flowers and shaggy woods,
And streams and mountains bare.
And if I were a minstrel bard
I'd sing in praise of thee,
The wild birds to outrival on
The bonnie banks o' Cree.
Sweet river, I must leave you,
And I leave you with regret:
This glorious day upon thy banks
I never will forget.
I may again, if Heaven wills,
Enjoy thy charms and see
The love-inspiring beauty of
The bonnie banks o' Cree.