The west winds blow to Coshieville
And with the winds came we
And where the river hugs the wood
And blackthorns bloom in May
There stood a single rowan tree
So young and tender so were 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 in Coshieville
The rowan leaves were still
But the darkening west was in your eye
Despite your kisses and my lies
My thoughts had crossed the hill
I broke your heart as the minutes passed
For 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 ear to the boring hammer’s drone
And the ache inside I rued alone
For you were far away
But the money moved from Ericht’s Loch
And the Great Glen beckoned on
At Moriston the hills grew pale
And we fought and drank through old Kintail
Till our money soon was gone
Then I cursed Loch Awe side’s autumn rain
And the winter whiskey in Dunblane
Till the west winds rose in spring again
And my heart leapt to it’s song
And I came at night to Coshieville
With 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
But well I knew the fault was mine
And I went the road I came
Repeat verse three.