It Is Na, Jean, Thy Bonnie Face.

Tune - "The Maid's Complaint."


I.

    It is na, Jean, thy bonnie face,
        Nor shape that I admire,
    Altho' thy beauty and thy grace
        Might weel awake desire.
    Something in ilka part o' thee,
        To praise, to love, I find;
    But dear as is thy form to me,
        Still dearer is thy mind.

II.

    Nae mair ungen'rous wish I hae,
        Nor stronger in my breast,
    Than, if I canna mak thee sae,
        at least to see thee blest.
    Content am I, if heaven shall give
        But happiness to thee:
    And as wi' thee I'd wish to live,
        For thee I'd bear to die.

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

The Vision.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Wandering Willie. (First Version.)

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Macpherson's Farewell.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

The Dumfries Volunteers.

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.

'Twas Na Her Bonnie Blue Een.

Tune - *Laddie, lie near me.*


I.

    'Twas na her bonnie blue een was my ruin;
    Fair tho' she be, that was ne'er my undoing:
    'Twas the dear smile when naebody did mind us,
    'Twas the bewitching, sweet stown glance o' kindness.

II.

    Sair do I fear that to hope is denied me,
    Sair do I fear that despair maun abide me!
    But tho' fell fortune should fate us to sever,
    Queen shall she be in my bosom for ever.

III.

    Mary, I'm thine wi' a passion sincerest,
    And thou hast plighted me love o' the dearest!
    And thou'rt the angel that never can alter -
    Sooner the sun in his motion would falter.

Robert Burns

My Jean!

Tune - "The Northern Lass."


    Though cruel fate should bid us part,
        Far as the pole and line,
    Her dear idea round my heart,
        Should tenderly entwine.
    Though mountains rise, and deserts howl,
        And oceans roar between;
    Yet, dearer than my deathless soul,
        I still would love my Jean

Robert Burns

Of A' The Airts The Wind Can Blaw

Tune - "Miss Admiral Gordon's Strathspey."


I.

    Of a' the airts the wind can blaw,
        I dearly like the west,
    For there the bonnie lassie lives,
        The lassie I lo'e best:
    There wild-woods grow, and rivers row,
        And mony a hill between;
    But day and night my fancy's flight
        Is ever wi' my Jean.

II.

    I see her in the dewy flowers,
        I see her sweet and fair:
    I hear her in the tunefu' birds,
        I hear her charm the air:
    There's not a bonnie flower that springs
        By fountain, shaw, or green,
    There's not a bonnie bird that sings,
        But minds me o' my Jean.

III.

    O blaw, ye westlin winds, blaw saft
        Among the...

Robert Burns

Bonnie Jean.

I.

    There was a lass, and she was fair,
        At kirk and market to be seen,
    When a' the fairest maids were met,
        The fairest maid was bonnie Jean.

II.

    And aye she wrought her mammie's wark,
        And ay she sang so merrilie:
    The blithest bird upon the bush
        Had ne'er a lighter heart than she.

III.

    But hawks will rob the tender joys
        That bless the little lintwhite's nest;
    And frost will blight the fairest flowers,
        And love will break the soundest rest.

IV.

    Young Robie was the brawest lad,
        The flower and pride of a' the glen;
    And he had owsen, sheep, and kye,
        And wanton naigies nine or ten.

V.

    He gae...

Robert Burns

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

Nannie.

Tune - "My Nannie, O."


I.

    Behind yon hills, where Lugar flows,
        'Mang moors an' mosses many, O,
    The wintry sun the day has closed,
        And I'll awa to Nannie, O.

II.

    The westlin wind blaws loud an' shrill;
        The night's baith mirk and rainy, O;
    But I'll get my plaid, an' out I'll steal,
        An' owre the hills to Nannie, O.

III.

    My Nannie's charming, sweet, an' young;
        Nae artfu' wiles to win ye, O:
    May ill befa' the flattering tongue
        That wad beguile my Nannie, O.

IV.

    Her face is fair, her heart is true,
        As spotless as she's bonnie, O:
    The op'ning gowan, wat wi' dew,
        Nae purer is than Nannie, O.

Robert Burns