His cheek was wan and his hair was grey
⁠(Sweet fruits are sair to gather)
When he came back hame frae the wide world's way:
⁠And the wind wears owre the heather.

His banes were weary, his een were dim,
⁠(Sweet fruits are sair to gather)
And nae man lived and had mind of him:
⁠And the wind wears owre the heather.

'O whatten a wreck wad they seek on land'
⁠(Sweet fruits are sair to gather)
'That they houk the turf to the seaward hand?'
⁠And the wind wears owre the heather.

'O whatten a prey wad they think to take'
⁠(Sweet fruits are sair to gather)
'That they delve the dykes for a dead man's sake?'
⁠And the wind wears owre the heather.