Verse 1:
"Ye banks and braes bonnie Doon,
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair?
How can ye chant, ye little birds,
And I sae weary fu' o care!"
The poet addresses the banks and slopes (braes) of the River Doon, marveling at their continued beauty despite his own sorrow. He personifies the natural elements and questions how they can thrive while he is burdened by cares and worries.
Verse 2:
"Thou'll break my heart, thou warbling bird,
That wantonly thou sings;
Thou minds me o' departed joys,
Departed never to return."
The poet's heart breaks upon hearing the carefree singing of a bird. It reminds him of past joys and happy moments that have vanished and will never come back.
Verse 3:
"Aft hae I roved by bonnie Doon,
To see the rose and woodbine twine;
And ilka bird sang o' its love,
And sae did I o' mine."
The poet recounts his past experiences walking along the banks of the River Doon. He used to enjoy the sight of blooming roses and honeysuckles intertwined, and every bird sang about its love, just as he did about his.
Verse 4:
"Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose,
Fu' sweet upon its thorny tree;
And my fause luver staw my rose,
But ah, he left the thorn wi' me."
He fondly remembers picking a sweet rose from a thorny bush with a joyful heart. However, his faithless lover stole his rose, leaving him with only the thorn of pain and heartache.
Chorus:
"O ye banks and braes bonnie Doon,
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair?
How can ye chant, ye little birds,
And I sae weary fu' o care!"
The poet returns to the opening question, emphasizing how the beauty and joy of nature contrast with his own sorrow.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ye Banks and Braes Bonnie Doon" blend the personal emotions of love and loss with the imagery and atmosphere of the Scottish countryside, creating a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of happiness and the contrasting resilience of nature.