Louis, What Reck I By Thee.

Tune - "Louis, what reck I by thee."


I.

    Louis, what reck I by thee,
        Or Geordie on his ocean?
    Dyvor, beggar loons to me
        I reign in Jeannie's bosom.

II.

    Let her crown my love her law,
        And in her breast enthrone me.
    Kings and nations, swith, awa!
        Reif randies, I disown ye!

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

Scots Prologue, For Mr. Sutherland's Benefit Night, Dumfries.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Of A' The Airts The Wind Can Blaw

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

The Inventory; - In Answer To A Mandate By The Surveyor Of The Taxes.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Nithsdale's Welcome Hame.

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.

Come, Let Me Take Thee.

Air - "Cauld Kail."



I.

    Come, let me take thee to my breast,
        And pledge we ne'er shall sunder;
    And I shall spurn as vilest dust
        The warld's wealth and grandeur:
    And do I hear my Jeanie own
        That equal transports move her?
    I ask for dearest life alone,
        That I may live to love her.

II.

    Thus in my arms, wi' a' thy charms,
        I clasp my countless treasure;
    I'll seek nae mair o' heaven to share,
        Than sic a moment's pleasure:
    And by thy een, sae bonnie blue,
        I swear I'm thine for ever!
    And on thy lips I seal my vow,
        And break it shall I never.

Robert Burns

O Lay Thy Loof In Mine, Lass.

Tune - "Cordwainer's March."


I.

    O lay thy loof in mine, lass,
    In mine, lass, in mine, lass;
    And swear on thy white hand, lass,
        That thou wilt be my ain.
    A slave to love's unbounded sway,
    He aft has wrought me meikle wae;
    But now he is my deadly fae,
        Unless thou be my ain.

II.

    There's monie a lass has broke my rest,
    That for a blink I hae lo'ed best;
    But thou art queen within my breast,
        For ever to remain.
    O lay thy loof in mine, lass,
    In mine, lass, in mine, lass;
    And swear on thy white hand, lass,
        That thou wilt be my ain.

Robert Burns

The Highland Laddie.

Tune - "If thou'lt play me fair play."



I.

    The bonniest lad that e'er I saw,
        Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie,
    Wore a plaid, and was fu' braw,
        Bonnie Highland laddie.
    On his head a bonnet blue,
        Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie;
    His royal heart was firm and true,
        Bonnie Highland laddie.

II.

    Trumpets sound, and cannons roar,
        Bonnie lassie; Lowland lassie;
    And a' the hills wi' echoes roar,
        Bonnie Lowland lassie.
    Glory, honour, now invite,
        Bonnie lassie, Lowland lassie,
    For freedom and my king to fight,
        Bonnie Lowland lassie.

III.

    The sun a backward course shall take,
        Bonnie laddie, H...

Robert Burns

The Highland Lassie.

Tune - "The deuks dang o'er my daddy!"


I.

    Nae gentle dames, tho' e'er sae fair,
    Shall ever be my muse's care:
    Their titles a' are empty show;
    Gie me my Highland lassie, O.
            Within the glen sae bushy, O,
            Aboon the plains sae rushy, O,
            I set me down wi' right good-will,
            To sing my Highland lassie, O.

II.

    Oh, were yon hills and valleys mine,
    Yon palace and yon gardens fine,
    The world then the love should know
    I bear my Highland lassie, O.

III.

    But fickle fortune frowns on me,
    And I maun cross the raging sea;
    But while my crimson currents flow,
    I'll love my Highland lassie, O.

IV.

    A...

Robert Burns

Bonnie Lesley.

I.

    O saw ye bonnie Lesley
        As she ga'ed o'er the border?
    She's gane, like Alexander,
        To spread her conquests farther.

II.

    To see her is to love her,
        And love but her for ever;
    For Nature made her what she is,
        And never made anither!

III.

    Thou art a queen, fair Lesley,
        Thy subjects we, before thee:
    Thou art divine, fair Lesley,
        The hearts o' men adore thee.

IV.

    The deil he could na scaith thee,
        Or aught that wad belang thee;
    He'd look into thy bonnie face,
        And say, "I canna wrang thee."

V.

    The powers aboon will tent thee;
        Misfortune sha' na steer thee:
    Thou'rt like...

Robert Burns

O Poortith Cauld.

Tune - "I had a horse."



I.

    O poortith cauld, and restless love,
        Ye wreck my peace between ye;
    Yet poortith a' I could forgive,
            An' twere na' for my Jeanie.
                O why should fate sic pleasure have,
                    Life's dearest bands untwining?
                Or why sae sweet a flower as love
                    Depend on fortune's shining?

II.

    This warld's wealth when I think on,
        It's pride, and a' the lave o't
    Fie, fie on silly coward man,
        That he should be the slave o't!

III.

    Her een sae bonnie blue betray
        How she repays my passion;
    But prudence is her o'erword ay,
        She talks of rank and fashion.

Robert Burns