Robert Burns and Euphemia Murray

Robert Burns and Euphemia Murray. A cousin of Sir William of Ochtertyre, Euphemia Murray was known as The Flower of Strathmore. She was eighteen when Burns stayed with Sir William in 1787, and wrote the song 'Blythe, blythe and merry was she'. Of the song, he recalled: 'I composed these verses while I stayed at Ochtertyre with Sir William Murray. The lady, who was also at Ochtertyre at the same time, was a well-known toast, Miss Euphemia Murray of Lintrose...' The lady. according to tradition, did not appreciate the honour done her by Burns, though one who knew her said that the concluding verse was very expressive of her appearance and style of beauty.

By Auchtertyre grows the aik,
On Yarrow banks the birken shaw;
But Phemie was a bonnier lass,
Than braes of Yarrow ever saw.

Chorus.
Blithe, blithe and merry was she,
Blithe was she but and ben:
Blithe by the banks of Ern,
And blithe in Glenturit glen.

Her looks were like a flow'r in May,
Her smile was like a simmer morn;
She tripped by the banks of Ern,
As light's a bird upon a thorn.

Chorus.

Her bonnie face it was as meek,
As any lamb upon a lea;
The evening sun was ne'er sae sweet,
As was the blink o' Phemie's ee.

Chorus.

The Highland hills I've wander'd wide,
And o'er the Lowlands I hae been;
But Phemie was the blithest lass,
That ever trod the dewy green.

Blithe, blithe and merry was she,
Blithe was she but and ben:
Blithe by the banks of Ern.
And blithe in Glenturit glen.

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