Here's His Health In Water.

Tune - "The job of journey-work."




    Altho' my back be at the wa',
        An' tho' he be the fautor;
    Altho' my back be at the wa',
        Yet here's his health in water!
    O! wae gae by his wanton sides,
        Sae brawlie he could flatter;
    Till for his sake I'm slighted sair,
        And dree the kintra clatter.
    But tho' my back be at the wa',
        And tho' he be the fautor;
    But tho' my back be at the wa',
        Yet here's his health in water!

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire, and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. Born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, he is best known for works such as 'Auld Lang Syne,' 'Scots Wha Hae,' and 'A Red, Red Rose.' He passed away on July 21, 1796, in Dumfries.

Robert Burns

Lovely Polly Stewart.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

On Wat.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Coming Through The Rye.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

To John Kennedy.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Here's To Thy Health, My Bonnie Lass.

Tune - "Laggan Burn."


I.

    Here's to thy health, my bonnie lass,
        Gude night, and joy be wi' thee;
    I'll come na mair to thy bower-door,
        To tell thee that I lo'e thee.
    O dinna think, my pretty pink,
        But I can live without thee:
    I vow and swear I dinna care
        How lang ye look about ye.

II.

    Thou'rt ay sae free informing me
        Thou hast na mind to marry;
    I'll be as free informing thee
        Nae time hae I to tarry.
    I ken thy friends try ilka means,
        Frae wedlock to delay thee;
    Depending on some higher chance -
        But fortune may betray thee.

III.

    I ken they scorn my low estate,
        But that does never griev...

Robert Burns

Here's A Health.

Tune - "Here's a health to them that's awa."


I.

    Here's a health to them that's awa,
    Here's a health to them that's awa;
    And wha winna wish guid luck to our cause,
    May never guid luck be their fa'!
    It's guid to be merry and wise,
    It's guid to be honest and true,
    It's good to support Caldonia's cause,
    And bide by the buff and the blue.

II.

    Here's a health to them that's awa,
    Here's a health to them that's awa,
    Here's a health to Charlie the chief of the clan,
    Altho' that his band be sma'.
    May liberty meet wi' success!
    May prudence protect her frae evil!
    May tyrants and tyranny tine in the mist,
    And wander their way to the devil!

III.

Robert Burns

On A Scotch Bard, Gone To The West Indies.

    A' ye wha live by sowps o' drink,
    A' ye wha live by crambo-clink,
    A' ye wha live and never think,
        Come, mourn wi' me!
    Our billie's gien us a' a jink,
        An' owre the sea.

    Lament him a' ye rantin' core,
    Wha dearly like a random-splore,
    Nae mair he'll join the merry roar
        In social key;
    For now he's taen anither shore,
        An' owre the sea!

    The bonnie lasses weel may wiss him,
    And in their dear petitions place him;
    The widows, wives, an' a' may bless him,
        Wi' tearfu' e'e;
    For weel I wat they'll sairly miss him
        That's owre the sea!

    O Fortune, they hae room to grumble!
    Hadst thou taen' aff some drowsy bummle
    Wha can do nought bu...

Robert Burns

Braw Lads Of Galla Water.

Tune - "Galla Water."


Chorus.

    Braw, braw lads of Galla Water;
        O braw lads of Galla Water:
    I'll kilt my coats aboon my knee,
        And follow my love thro' the water.

I.

    Sae fair her hair, sae brent her brow,
        Sae bonny blue her een, my dearie;
    Sae white her teeth, sae sweet her mou',
        The mair I kiss she's ay my dearie.

II.

    O'er yon bank and o'er yon brae,
        O'er yon moss amang the heather;
    I'll kilt my coats aboon my knee,
        And follow my love thro' the water.

III.

    Down amang the broom, the broom,
        Down amang the broom, my dearie,
    The lassie lost a silken snood,
        That cost her mony a blirt and blear...

Robert Burns

Galla Water.

I.

    There's braw, braw lads on Yarrow braes,
        That wander thro' the blooming heather;
    But Yarrow braes nor Ettrick shaws
        Can match the lads o' Galla Water.

II.

    But there is ane, a secret ane,
        Aboon them a' I lo'e him better;
    And I'll be his, and he'll be mine,
        The bonnie lad o' Galla Water.

III.

    Altho' his daddie was nae laird,
        And tho' I hae nae meikle tocher;
    Yet rich in kindest, truest love,
        We'll tent our flocks by Galla Water.

IV.

    It ne'er was wealth, it ne'er was wealth,
        That coft contentment, peace, or pleasure;
    The bands and bliss o' mutual love,
        O that's the chiefest warld's treasure!

Robert Burns

Epistle To Major Logan.

    Hail, thairm-inspirin', rattlin' Willie!
    Though fortune's road be rough an' hilly
    To every fiddling, rhyming billie,
        We never heed,
    But tak' it like the unback'd filly,
        Proud o' her speed.

    When idly goavan whyles we saunter
    Yirr, fancy barks, awa' we canter
    Uphill, down brae, till some mishanter,
        Some black bog-hole,
    Arrests us, then the scathe an' banter
        We're forced to thole.

    Hale be your heart! Hale be your fiddle!
    Lang may your elbuck jink and diddle,
    To cheer you through the weary widdle
        O' this wild warl',
    Until you on a crummock driddle
        A gray-hair'd carl.

    Come wealth, come poortith, late or soon,
    Heaven send your hear...

Robert Burns