Robert Burns: The Braes O’ Killiecrankie:
The Braes O’ Killiecrankie 1789 Type: Poem Where hae ye been sae braw, lad? Whare hae ye been sae brankie, O? Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad? Cam ye by Killiecrankie, O? Chorus.-An ye had been whare I hae been, Ye wad na been sae cantie, O; An ye had seen what I […]
Robert Burns: The Battle Of Sherramuir:
The Battle Of Sherramuir 1789 Type: Song Tune: The Cameronian Rant. “O cam ye here the fight to shun, Or herd the sheep wi’ me, man? Or were ye at the Sherra-moor, Or did the battle see, man?” I saw the battle, sair and teugh, And reekin-red ran mony a sheugh; My heart, for […]
Robert Burns: Highland Harry Back Again:
Highland Harry Back Again 1789 Type: Poem My Harry was a gallant gay, Fu’ stately strade he on the plain; But now he’s banish’d far away, I’ll never see him back again. Chorus.-O for him back again! O for him back again! I wad gie a’ Knockhaspie’s land For Highland Harry back again. When […]
Robert Burns: I Gaed A Waefu’ Gate Yestreen:
I Gaed A Waefu’ Gate Yestreen 1789 Type: Poem I gaed a waefu’ gate yestreen, A gate, I fear, I’ll dearly rue; I gat my death frae twa sweet een, Twa lovely een o’bonie blue. ‘Twas not her golden ringlets bright, Her lips like roses wat wi’ dew, Her heaving bosom, lily-white- It was […]
Robert Burns: Ca’ The Yowes To The Knowes:
Ca’ The Yowes To The Knowes 1789 Type: Poem Chorus.-Ca’ the yowes to the knowes, Ca’ them where the heather grows, Ca’ them where the burnie rowes, My bonie dearie As I gaed down the water-side, There I met my shepherd lad: He row’d me sweetly in his plaid, And he ca’d me his […]
Robert Burns: Willie Brew’d A Peck O’ Maut:
Willie Brew’d A Peck O’ Maut 1789 Type: Song O Willie brew’d a peck o’ maut, And Rob and Allen cam to see; Three blyther hearts, that lee-lang night, Ye wadna found in Christendie. Chorus.-We are na fou, we’re nae that fou, But just a drappie in our ee; The cock may craw, the […]
Robert Burns: Extemporaneous Effusion: On being appointed to an Excise division.
Extemporaneous Effusion On being appointed to an Excise division.1789 Type: Extempore Searching auld wives’ barrels, Ochon the day! That clarty barm should stain my laurels: But-what’ll ye say? These movin’ things ca’d wives an’ weans, Wad move the very hearts o’ stanes! ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by […]
Robert Burns: Extemporaneous Effusion: On being appointed to an Excise division.
Extemporaneous Effusion On being appointed to an Excise division.1789 Type: Extempore Searching auld wives’ barrels, Ochon the day! That clarty barm should stain my laurels: But-what’ll ye say? These movin’ things ca’d wives an’ weans, Wad move the very hearts o’ stanes! ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by […]
Robert Burns: Sonnet On Receiving A Favour: Addressed to Robert Graham, Esq. of Fintry.
Sonnet On Receiving A Favour Addressed to Robert Graham, Esq. of Fintry. 1789 Type: Sonnet I call no Goddess to inspire my strains, A fabled Muse may suit a bard that feigns: Friend of my life! my ardent spirit burns, And all the tribute of my heart returns, For boons accorded, goodness ever new, The […]
Robert Burns: Presentation Stanzas To Correspondents:
Presentation Stanzas To Correspondents 1789 Type: Poem Factor John! Factor John, whom the Lord made alone, And ne’er made anither, thy peer, Thy poor servant, the Bard, in respectful regard, He presents thee this token sincere, Factor John! He presents thee this token sincere. Afton’s Laird! Afton’s Laird, when your pen can be spared, […]
Robert Burns: The Kirk Of Scotland’s Alarm:
The Kirk Of Scotland’s Alarm 1789 Type: Song Tune: Come rouse, Brother Sportsman! Orthodox! orthodox, who believe in John Knox, Let me sound an alarm to your conscience: A heretic blast has been blown in the West, “That what is no sense must be nonsense,” Orthodox! That what is no sense must be nonsense. […]
Robert Burns: Epigram On Francis Grose The Antiquary:
Epigram On Francis Grose The Antiquary 1789 Type: Epigram The Devil got notice that Grose was a-dying So whip! at the summons, old Satan came flying; But when he approached where poor Francis lay moaning, And saw each bed-post with its burthen a-groaning, Astonish’d, confounded, cries Satan-“By God, I’ll want him, ere I take […]
Robert Burns: On The Late Captain Grose’s Peregrinations Thro’ Scotland: Collecting The Antiquities Of That Kingdom
On The Late Captain Grose’s Peregrinations Thro’ Scotland Collecting The Antiquities Of That Kingdom1789 Type: Poem Hear, Land o’ Cakes, and brither Scots, Frae Maidenkirk to Johnie Groat’s;- If there’s a hole in a’ your coats, I rede you tent it: A chield’s amang you takin notes, And, faith, he’ll prent it: If in your […]
Robert Burns: My Eppie Adair:
My Eppie Adair 1789 Type: Poem Chorus.-An’ O my Eppie, my jewel, my Eppie, Wha wad na be happy wi’ Eppie Adair? By love, and by beauty, by law, and by duty, I swear to be true to my Eppie Adair! By love, and by beauty, by law, and by duty, I swear to […]
Robert Burns: Whistle O’er The Lave O’t:
Whistle O’er The Lave O’t 1789 Type: Poem First when Maggie was my care, Heav’n, I thought, was in her air, Now we’re married-speir nae mair, But whistle o’er the lave o’t! Meg was meek, and Meg was mild, Sweet and harmless as a child- Wiser men than me’s beguil’d; Whistle o’er the lave […]
Robert Burns: The Laddie’s Dear Sel’:
The Laddie’s Dear Sel’ 1789 Type: Poem There’s a youth in this city, it were a great pity That he from our lassies should wander awa’; For he’s bonie and braw, weel-favor’d witha’, An’ his hair has a natural buckle an’ a’. His coat is the hue o’ his bonnet sae blue, His fecket […]
Robert Burns: Carle, An The King Come:
Carle, An The King Come 1789 Type: Poem Chorus.-Carle, an the King come, Carle, an the King come, Thou shalt dance and I will sing, Carle, an the King come. An somebody were come again, Then somebody maun cross the main, And every man shall hae his ain, Carle, an the King come. Carle, […]
Robert Burns: Tam Glen:
Tam Glen 1789 Type: song My heart is a-breaking, dear Tittie, Some counsel unto me come len’, To anger them a’ is a pity, But what will I do wi’ Tam Glen? I’m thinking, wi’ sic a braw fellow, In poortith I might mak a fen; What care I in riches to wallow, If […]
Robert Burns: My Love, She’s But A Lassie Yet:
My Love, She’s But A Lassie Yet 1789 Type: Poem My love, she’s but a lassie yet, My love, she’s but a lassie yet; We’ll let her stand a year or twa, She’ll no be half sae saucy yet; I rue the day I sought her, O! I rue the day I sought her, […]
Robert Burns: John Anderson, My Jo:
John Anderson, My Jo 1789 Type: Poem John Anderson, my jo, John, When we were first acquent; Your locks were like the raven, Your bonie brow was brent; But now your brow is beld, John, Your locks are like the snaw; But blessings on your frosty pow, John Anderson, my jo. John Anderson, my […]
Robert Burns: The Captain’s Lady:
The Captain’s Lady 1789 Type: Poem Chorus.-O mount and go, mount and make you ready, O mount and go, and be the Captain’s lady. When the drums do beat, and the cannons rattle, Thou shalt sit in state, and see thy love in battle: When the drums do beat, and the cannons rattle, Thou […]
Robert Burns: Sweet Tibbie Dunbar:
Sweet Tibbie Dunbar 1789 Type: Poem O wilt thou go wi’ me, sweet Tibbie Dunbar? O wilt thou go wi’ me, sweet Tibbie Dunbar? Wilt thou ride on a horse, or be drawn in a car, Or walk by my side, O sweet Tibbie Dunbar? I care na thy daddie, his lands and his […]
Robert Burns: I Love My Love In Secret:
I Love My Love In Secret 1789 Type: Poem My Sandy gied to me a ring, Was a’ beset wi’ diamonds fine; But I gied him a far better thing, I gied my heart in pledge o’ his ring. Chorus.-My Sandy O, my Sandy O, My bonie, bonie Sandy O; Tho’ the love that […]
Robert Burns: Jamie, Come Try Me:
Jamie, Come Try Me 1789 Type: Poem Chorus.-Jamie, come try me, Jamie, come try me, If thou would win my love, Jamie, come try me. If thou should ask my love, Could I deny thee? If thou would win my love, Jamie, come try me! Jamie, come try me, &c. If thou should kiss […]
Robert Burns: The Banks Of Nith:
The Banks Of Nith 1789 Type: Poem The Thames flows proudly to the sea, Where royal cities stately stand; But sweeter flows the Nith to me, Where Comyns ance had high command. When shall I see that honour’d land, That winding stream I love so dear! Must wayward Fortune’s adverse hand For ever, ever […]
Robert Burns: Young Jockie Was The Blythest Lad:
Young Jockie Was The Blythest Lad 1789 Type: Poem Young Jockie was the blythest lad, In a’ our town or here awa; Fu’ blythe he whistled at the gaud, Fu’ lightly danc’d he in the ha’. He roos’d my een sae bonie blue, He roos’d my waist sae genty sma’; An’ aye my heart […]
Robert Burns: On A Bank Of Flowers:
On A Bank Of Flowers 1789 Type: Poem On a bank of flowers, in a summer day, For summer lightly drest, The youthful, blooming Nelly lay, With love and sleep opprest; When Willie, wand’ring thro’ the wood, Who for her favour oft had sued; He gaz’d, he wish’d He fear’d, he blush’d, And trembled […]
Robert Burns: The Gard’ner Wi’ His Paidle:
The Gard’ner Wi’ His Paidle 1789 Type: Song Tune: The Gardener’s March. When rosy May comes in wi’ flowers, To deck her gay, green-spreading bowers, Then busy, busy are his hours, The Gard’ner wi’ his paidle. The crystal waters gently fa’, The merry bards are lovers a’, The scented breezes round him blaw- The […]
Robert Burns: Delia, An Ode : “To the Editor of The Star.-Mr. Printer-If the productions of a simple ploughman can merit a place in the same paper with Sylvester Otway, and the other favourites of the Muses who illuminate the Star with the lustre of genius, your insertion of the enclosed trifle will be succeeded by future communications from-Yours, &c., R. Burns. Ellisland, near Dumfries, 18th May, 1789.”
Delia, An Ode “To the Editor of The Star.-Mr. Printer-If the productions of a simple ploughman can merit a place in the same paper with Sylvester Otway, and the other favourites of the Muses who illuminate the Star with the lustre of genius, your insertion of the enclosed trifle will be succeeded by future communications […]
Robert Burns: The Wounded Hare:
The Wounded Hare 1789 Type: Poem Inhuman man! curse on thy barb’rous art, And blasted be thy murder-aiming eye; May never pity soothe thee with a sigh, Nor ever pleasure glad thy cruel heart! Go live, poor wand’rer of the wood and field! The bitter little that of life remains: No more the thickening […]
Robert Burns: Sketch In Verse: Inscribed to the Right Hon. C. J. Fox.
Sketch In Verse Inscribed to the Right Hon. C. J. Fox.1789 Type: Sketch How wisdom and Folly meet, mix, and unite, How Virtue and Vice blend their black and their white, How Genius, th’ illustrious father of fiction, Confounds rule and law, reconciles contradiction, I sing: If these mortals, the critics, should bustle, I care […]
Robert Burns: A New Psalm For The Chapel Of Kilmarnock: On the Thanksgiving-Day for His Majesty’s Recovery.
A New Psalm For The Chapel Of Kilmarnock On the Thanksgiving-Day for His Majesty’s Recovery.1789 Type: Poem O sing a new song to the Lord, Make, all and every one, A joyful noise, even for the King His restoration. The sons of Belial in the land Did set their heads together; Come, let us sweep […]
Robert Burns: Epistle To James Tennant Of Glenconner:
Epistle To James Tennant Of Glenconner 1789 Type: Epistle Auld comrade dear, and brither sinner, How’s a’ the folk about Glenconner? How do you this blae eastlin wind, That’s like to blaw a body blind? For me, my faculties are frozen, My dearest member nearly dozen’d. I’ve sent you here, by Johnie Simson, Twa […]
Robert Burns: Ode On The Departed Regency Bill:
Ode On The Departed Regency Bill 1789 Type: Ode Daughter of Chaos’ doting years, Nurse of ten thousand hopes and fears, Whether thy airy, insubstantial shade (The rights of sepulture now duly paid) Spread abroad its hideous form On the roaring civil storm, Deafening din and warring rage Factions wild with factions wage; Or […]
Robert Burns: Beware O’ Bonie Ann:
Beware O’ Bonie Ann 1789 Type: Poem Ye gallants bright, I rede you right, Beware o’ bonie Ann; Her comely face sae fu’ o’ grace, Your heart she will trepan: Her een sae bright, like stars by night, Her skin sae like the swan; Sae jimply lac’d her genty waist, That sweetly ye might […]
Robert Burns: To Miss Cruickshank, a very Young Lady : Written on the Blank Leaf of a Book, presented to her by the Author.
To Miss Cruickshank, a very Young Lady Written on the Blank Leaf of a Book, presented to her by the Author.1789 Type: Poem Beauteous Rosebud, young and gay, Blooming in thy early May, Never may’st thou, lovely flower, Chilly shrink in sleety shower! Never Boreas’ hoary path, Never Eurus’ pois’nous breath, Never baleful stellar lights, […]
Robert Burns: Caledonia -A Ballad :
Caledonia -A Ballad 1789 Type: Song Tune: “Caledonian Hunts’ Delight” of Mr. Gow There was once a day, but old Time wasythen young, That brave Caledonia, the chief of her line, From some of your northern deities sprung, (Who knows not that brave Caledonia’s divine?) From Tweed to the Orcades was her domain, To […]
Robert Burns: Lines To John M’Murdo, Esq. Of Drumlanrig: Sent with some of the Author’s Poems.
Lines To John M’Murdo, Esq. Of Drumlanrig Sent with some of the Author’s Poems.1789 Type: Poem O could I give thee India’s wealth, As I this trifle send; Because thy joy in both would be To share them with a friend. But golden sands did never grace The Heliconian stream; Then take what gold could […]
Robert Burns: Impromptu Lines To Captain Riddell: On Returning a Newspaper.
Impromptu Lines To Captain Riddell On Returning a Newspaper.1789 Type: Impromptu Your News and Review, sir. I’ve read through and through, sir, With little admiring or blaming; The Papers are barren Of home-news or foreign, No murders or rapes worth the naming. Our friends, the Reviewers, Those chippers and hewers, Are judges of mortar and […]
Robert Burns: She’s Fair And Fause:
She’s Fair And Fause 1789 Type: song She’s fair and fause that causes my smart, I lo’ed her meikle and lang; She’s broken her vow, she’s broken my heart, And I may e’en gae hang. A coof cam in wi’ routh o’ gear, And I hae tint my dearest dear; But Woman is but […]