The west winds blow to Coshieville
And with the winds came we
And where the river hugs the wood
And blackthorns bloom, in spring there stood
A single rowan tree
So young and tender, so are you
I loved you both as there you grew
The day I took the road that leads
By Rannoch to the sea
We carved our names at Coshieville
The rowan leaves stood still
The westering sun was in your eyes
Despite your kisses and my lies
My thoughts had crossed the hill
I broke your heart as the minutes passed
I shrugged and said that nothing lasts
But many's the backward glance I cast
As I went north to the drill
The big wheels rumble up and down
The lorries know the way
I waved my hand, I hitched a ride
We crossed the bridge at Rannochside
Where the diesel motors play
Then I set myself to a cliff of stone
My ears to the boring hammer's drone
And the ache inside I rued alone
For you were far away
But the money moved from Erichts Loch
And the Great Glen beckoned on
At Norriston the hills grew pale
We fought and drank through old Kintail
Till our money it was gone
Then I cursed Loch Aweside's autumn rain
The winter whisky in Dunblane
Till the west wind blew in the spring again
And my heart leapt at its song
I came at night to Coshieville
A dozen hills aflame
You had another hand to hold
Beneath the names we carved of old
There was another name
You looked me through, you made no sign
I drank the cup of bitter wine
For well I knew the fault was mine
And I went the way I came
The big wheels rumble up and down
The lorries know the way
I waved my hand, I hitched a ride
We crossed the bridge at Rannochside
Where the diesel motors play
Then I set myself to a cliff of stone
My ears to the boring hammer's drone
And the ache inside I rued alone
For you were far away