Robert Burns: I Hae a Wife O’ My Ain:

I Hae a Wife O’ My Ain   1788 Type: song I Hae a wife of my ain, I’ll partake wi’ naebody; I’ll take Cuckold frae nane, I’ll gie Cuckold to naebody. I hae a penny to spend, There-thanks to naebody! I hae naething to lend, I’ll borrow frae naebody. I am naebody’s lord, I’ll […]

Robert Burns: Of A’ The Airts The Wind Can Blaw:

Of A’ The Airts The Wind Can Blaw   1788 Type: Song Tune: Miss Admiral Gordon’s Strathspey. Of a’ the airts the wind can blaw, I dearly like the west, For there the bonie lassie lives, The lassie I lo’e best: There’s wild-woods grow, and rivers row, And mony a hill between: But day and […]

Robert Burns: Epistle To Hugh Parker:

Epistle To Hugh Parker   1788 Type: Epistle In this strange land, this uncouth clime, A land unknown to prose or rhyme; Where words ne’er cross’t the Muse’s heckles, Nor limpit in poetic shackles: A land that Prose did never view it, Except when drunk he stacher’t thro’ it; Here, ambush’d by the chimla cheek, […]

Robert Burns: The Chevalier’s Lament:

The Chevalier’s Lament   1788 Type: Song Tune: Captain O’Kean. The small birds rejoice in the green leaves returning, The murmuring streamlet winds clear thro’ the vale; The primroses blow in the dews of the morning, And wild scatter’d cowslips bedeck the green dale: But what can give pleasure, or what can seem fair, When […]

Robert Burns: The Bonie Lad That’s Far Awa:

The Bonie Lad That’s Far Awa   1788 Type: Poem O how can I be blythe and glad, Or how can I gang brisk and braw, When the bonie lad that I lo’e best Is o’er the hills and far awa! It’s no the frosty winter wind, It’s no the driving drift and snaw; But […]

Robert Burns: The Winter It Is Past:

The Winter It Is Past   1788 Type: Poem The winter it is past, and the summer comes at last And the small birds, they sing on ev’ry tree; Now ev’ry thing is glad, while I am very sad, Since my true love is parted from me. The rose upon the breer, by the waters […]

Robert Burns: To Daunton Me:

To Daunton Me   1788 Type: Poem The blude-red rose at Yule may blaw, The simmer lilies bloom in snaw, The frost may freeze the deepest sea; But an auld man shall never daunton me. Refrain.-To daunton me, to daunton me, And auld man shall never daunton me. To daunton me, and me sae young, […]

Robert Burns: Talk Of Him That’s Far Awa:

Talk Of Him That’s Far Awa   1788 Type: Poem Musing on the roaring ocean, Which divides my love and me; Wearying heav’n in warm devotion, For his weal where’er he be. Hope and Fear’s alternate billow Yielding late to Nature’s law, Whispering spirits round my pillow, Talk of him that’s far awa. Ye whom […]

Robert Burns: The Lad They Ca’Jumpin John:

The Lad They Ca’Jumpin John   1788 Type: Poem Her daddie forbad, her minnie forbad Forbidden she wadna be: She wadna trow’t the browst she brew’d, Wad taste sae bitterlie. Chorus.-The lang lad they ca’Jumpin John Beguil’d the bonie lassie, The lang lad they ca’Jumpin John Beguil’d the bonie lassie. A cow and a cauf, […]

Robert Burns: How Long And Dreary Is The Night :

How Long And Dreary Is The Night   1788 Type: Poem How long and dreary is the night, When I am frae my dearie! I sleepless lie frae e’en to morn, Tho’ I were ne’er so weary: I sleepless lie frae e’en to morn, Tho’ I were ne’er sae weary! When I think on the […]

Robert Burns: Up In The Morning Early:

Up In The Morning Early   1788 Type: Poem Cauld blaws the wind frae east to west, The drift is driving sairly; Sae loud and shill’s I hear the blast- I’m sure it’s winter fairly. Chorus.-Up in the morning’s no for me, Up in the morning early; When a’ the hills are covered wi’ snaw, […]

Robert Burns: The Bonie Lad That’s Far Awa:

The Bonie Lad That’s Far Awa   1788 Type: Poem O how can I be blythe and glad, Or how can I gang brisk and braw, When the bonie lad that I lo’e best Is o’er the hills and far awa! It’s no the frosty winter wind, It’s no the driving drift and snaw; But […]

Robert Burns: The Winter It Is Past:

The Winter It Is Past   1788 Type: Poem The winter it is past, and the summer comes at last And the small birds, they sing on ev’ry tree; Now ev’ry thing is glad, while I am very sad, Since my true love is parted from me. The rose upon the breer, by the waters […]

Robert Burns: To Daunton Me:

To Daunton Me   1788 Type: Poem The blude-red rose at Yule may blaw, The simmer lilies bloom in snaw, The frost may freeze the deepest sea; But an auld man shall never daunton me. Refrain.-To daunton me, to daunton me, And auld man shall never daunton me. To daunton me, and me sae young, […]

Robert Burns: Talk Of Him That’s Far Awa:

Talk Of Him That’s Far Awa   1788 Type: Poem Musing on the roaring ocean, Which divides my love and me; Wearying heav’n in warm devotion, For his weal where’er he be. Hope and Fear’s alternate billow Yielding late to Nature’s law, Whispering spirits round my pillow, Talk of him that’s far awa. Ye whom […]

Robert Burns: The Lad They Ca’Jumpin John:

The Lad They Ca’Jumpin John   1788 Type: Poem Her daddie forbad, her minnie forbad Forbidden she wadna be: She wadna trow’t the browst she brew’d, Wad taste sae bitterlie. Chorus.-The lang lad they ca’Jumpin John Beguil’d the bonie lassie, The lang lad they ca’Jumpin John Beguil’d the bonie lassie. A cow and a cauf, […]

Robert Burns: How Long And Dreary Is The Night :

How Long And Dreary Is The Night   1788 Type: Poem How long and dreary is the night, When I am frae my dearie! I sleepless lie frae e’en to morn, Tho’ I were ne’er so weary: I sleepless lie frae e’en to morn, Tho’ I were ne’er sae weary! When I think on the […]

Robert Burns: Up In The Morning Early:

Up In The Morning Early   1788 Type: Poem Cauld blaws the wind frae east to west, The drift is driving sairly; Sae loud and shill’s I hear the blast- I’m sure it’s winter fairly. Chorus.-Up in the morning’s no for me, Up in the morning early; When a’ the hills are covered wi’ snaw, […]

Robert Burns: My Hoggie:

My Hoggie   1788 Type: song What will I do gin my Hoggie die? My joy, my pride, my Hoggie! My only beast, I had nae mae, And vow but I was vogie! The lee-lang night we watch’d the fauld, Me and my faithfu’ doggie; We heard nocht but the roaring linn, Amang the braes […]

Robert Burns: Stay My Charmer:

Stay My Charmer   1788 Type: Song Tune: An gille dubh ciar-dhubh. Stay my charmer, can you leave me? Cruel, cruel to deceive me; Well you know how much you grieve me; Cruel charmer, can you go! Cruel charmer, can you go! By my love so ill-requited, By the faith you fondly plighted, By the […]

Robert Burns: M’Pherson’s Farewell:

M’Pherson’s Farewell   1788 Type: Song Tune: M’Pherson’s Rant. Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong, The wretch’s destinie! M’Pherson’s time will not be long On yonder gallows-tree. Chorus.-Sae rantingly, sae wantonly, Sae dauntingly gaed he; He play’d a spring, and danc’d it round, Below the gallows-tree. O, what is death but parting breath? On many […]

Robert Burns: To The Weavers Gin Ye Go:

To The Weavers Gin Ye Go   1788 Type: Poem My heart was ance as blithe and free As simmer days were lang; But a bonie, westlin weaver lad Has gart me change my sang. Chorus.-To the weaver’s gin ye go, fair maids, To the weaver’s gin ye go; I rede you right, gang ne’er […]

Robert Burns: I’m O’er Young To Marry Yet:

I’m O’er Young To Marry Yet   1788 Type: Poem Chorus.-I’m o’er young, I’m o’er young, I’m o’er young to marry yet; I’m o’er young, ‘twad be a sin To tak me frae my mammy yet. I am my mammny’s ae bairn, Wi’ unco folk I weary, sir; And lying in a man’s bed, I’m […]

Robert Burns: Clarinda, Mistress Of My Soul:

Clarinda, Mistress Of My Soul   1788 Type: Poem Clarinda, mistres of my soul, The measur’d time is run! The wretch beneath the dreary pole So marks his latest sun. To what dark cave of frozen night Shall poor Sylvander hie; Depriv’d of thee, his life and light, The sun of all his joy? We […]

Robert Burns: Go On, Sweet Bird, And Sooth My Care:

Go On, Sweet Bird, And Sooth My Care   1788 Type: Poem For thee is laughing Nature gay, For thee she pours the vernal day; For me in vain is Nature drest, While Joy’s a stranger to my breast. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland  Poetry by subject Poems by […]

Robert Burns: Sylvander To Clarinda: Extempore Reply to Verses addressed to the Author by a Lady, under the signature of “Clarinda” and entitled, On Burns saying he ‘had nothing else to do.’

Sylvander To Clarinda Extempore Reply to Verses addressed to the Author by a Lady, under the signature of “Clarinda” and entitled, On Burns saying he ‘had nothing else to do.’1787 Type: Poem When dear Clarinda, matchless fair, First struck Sylvander’s raptur’d view, He gaz’d, he listened to despair, Alas! ’twas all he dared to do. […]

Robert Burns: Birthday Ode For 31st December, 1787:

Birthday Ode For 31st December, 1787   1787 Type: Ode Afar the illustrious Exile roams, Whom kingdoms on this day should hail; An inmate in the casual shed, On transient pity’s bounty fed, Haunted by busy memory’s bitter tale! Beasts of the forest have their savage homes, But He, who should imperial purple wear, Owns […]

Robert Burns: The Young Highland Rover:

The Young Highland Rover   1787 Type: Song Tune: Morag. Loud blaw the frosty breezes, The snaws the mountains cover; Like winter on me seizes, Since my young Highland rover Far wanders nations over. Where’er he go, where’er he stray, May heaven be his warden; Return him safe to fair Strathspey, And bonie Castle-Gordon! The […]

Robert Burns: My Peggy’s Charms:

My Peggy’s Charms   1787 Type: Song Tune: Tha a’ chailleach ir mo dheigh. My Peggy’s face, my Peggy’s form, The frost of hermit Age might warm; My Peggy’s worth, my Peggy’s mind, Might charm the first of human kind. I love my Peggy’s angel air, Her face so truly heavenly fair, Her native grace, […]

Robert Burns: Braving Angry Winter’s Storms:

Braving Angry Winter’s Storms   1787 Type: Song Tune: Neil Gow’s Lament for Abercairny. Where, braving angry winter’s storms, The lofty Ochils rise, Far in their shade my Peggy’s charms First blest my wondering eyes; As one who by some savage stream A lonely gem surveys, Astonish’d, doubly marks it beam With art’s most polish’d […]

Robert Burns: The Banks Of The Devon:

The Banks Of The Devon   1787 Type: Song Tune: Bhanarach dhonn a’ chruidh. How pleasant the banks of the clear winding Devon, With green spreading bushes and flow’rs blooming fair! But the boniest flow’r on the banks of the Devon Was once a sweet bud on the braes of the Ayr. Mild be the […]

Robert Burns: Epitaph For Mr. W. Cruikshank:

Epitaph For Mr. W. Cruikshank   1787 Type: Epitaph Honest Will to Heaven’s away And mony shall lament him; His fau’ts they a’ in Latin lay, In English nane e’er kent them. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland  Poetry by subject Poems by author and category Parallel translations, the parallel […]

Robert Burns: Blythe Was She:

Blythe Was She   1787 Type: Song Tune: Andro and his Cutty Gun. Chorus.-Blythe, blythe and merry was she, Blythe was she but and ben; Blythe by the banks of Earn, And blythe in Glenturit glen. By Oughtertyre grows the aik, On Yarrow banks the birken shaw; But Phemie was a bonier lass Than braes […]

Robert Burns: The Bonie Lass Of Albany:

The Bonie Lass Of Albany   1787 Type: Song Tune: Mary’s Dream. My heart is wae, and unco wae, To think upon the raging sea, That roars between her gardens green An’ the bonie Lass of Albany. This lovely maid’s of royal blood That ruled Albion’s kingdoms three, But oh, alas! for her bonie face, […]

Robert Burns: Lady Onlie, Honest Lucky:

Lady Onlie, Honest Lucky   1787 Type: Song Tune: The Ruffian’s Rant. A’ The lads o’ Thorniebank, When they gae to the shore o’ Bucky, They’ll step in an’ tak a pint Wi’ Lady Onlie, honest Lucky. Chorus.-Lady Onlie, honest Lucky, Brews gude ale at shore o’ Bucky; I wish her sale for her gude […]

Robert Burns: Castle Gordon:

Castle Gordon   1787 Type: Poem Streams that glide in orient plains, Never bound by Winter’s chains; Glowing here on golden sands, There immix’d with foulest stains From Tyranny’s empurpled hands; These, their richly gleaming waves, I leave to tyrants and their slaves; Give me the stream that sweetly laves The banks by Castle Gordon. […]

Robert Burns: Strathallan’s Lament:

Strathallan’s Lament   1787 Type: Poem Thickest night, o’erhang my dwelling! Howling tempests, o’er me rave! Turbid torrents, wintry swelling, Roaring by my lonely cave! Crystal streamlets gently flowing, Busy haunts of base mankind, Western breezes softly blowing, Suit not my distracted mind. In the cause of Right engaged, Wrongs injurious to redress, Honour’s war […]

Robert Burns: The Humble Petition Of Bruar Water: To the noble Duke of Athole.

The Humble Petition Of Bruar Water To the noble Duke of Athole.1787 Type: Poem My lord, I know your noble ear Woe ne’er assails in vain; Embolden’d thus, I beg you’ll hear Your humble slave complain, How saucy Phoebus’ scorching beams, In flaming summer-pride, Dry-withering, waste my foamy streams, And drink my crystal tide. The […]

Robert Burns: The Birks Of Aberfeldy:

The Birks Of Aberfeldy   1787 Type: Song Tune: The Birks of Abergeldie. Chorus.-Bonie lassie, will ye go, Will ye go, will ye go, Bonie lassie, will ye go To the birks of Aberfeldy! Now Simmer blinks on flowery braes, And o’er the crystal streamlets plays; Come let us spend the lightsome days, In the […]