The Carles Of Dysart.

Tune - "Hey ca' thro'."


I.

    Up wi' the carles o' Dysart,
        And the lads o' Buckhaven,
    And the kimmers o' Largo,
        And the lasses o' Leven.
                Hey, ca' thro', ca' thro',
                    For we hae mickle ado;
                Hey, ca' thro', ca' thro',
                    For we hae mickle ado.

II.

    We hae tales to tell,
        And we hae sangs to sing;
    We hae pennies to spend,
        And we hae pints to bring.

III.

    We'll live a' our days,
        And them that come behin',
    Let them do the like,
        And spend the gear they win.
                Hey, ca' thro', ca' thro',
                    For we hae mickle ado,
                Hey, ca' thro', ca' thro',
                    For we hae mickle ado.

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

O Bonnie Was Yon Rosy Brier.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Cock Up Your Beaver.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

The Banks Of Doon. (First Version.)

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

My Heart Is A-Breaking, Dear Tittie.

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.

There Was A Lass.

Tune - "Duncan Davison."


I.

    There was a lass, they ca'd her Meg,
        And she held o'er the moors to spin;
    There was a lad that follow'd her,
        They ca'd him Duncan Davison.
    The moor was driegh, and Meg was skiegh,
        Her favour Duncan could na win;
    For wi' the roke she wad him knock.
        And ay she shook the temper-pin.

II.

    As o'er the moor they lightly foor,
        A burn was clear, a glen was green,
    Upon the banks they eas'd-their shanks,
        And ay she set the wheel between:
    But Duncan swore a haly aith,
        That Meg should be a bride the morn,
    Then Meg took up her spinnin' graith,
        And flang them a' out o'er the burn.

III.

Robert Burns

The Five Carlins. A Scots Ballad.

Tune - Chevy Chase.


    There were five carlins in the south,
        They fell upon a scheme,
    To send a lad to London town,
        To bring them tidings hame.

    Not only bring them tidings hame,
        But do their errands there;
    And aiblins gowd and honour baith
        Might be that laddie's share.

    There was Maggy by the banks o' Nith,
        A dame wi' pride eneugh;
    And Marjory o' the mony lochs,
        A carlin auld and teugh.

    And blinkin' Bess of Annandale,
        That dwelt near Solway-side;
    And whiskey Jean, that took her gill
        In Galloway sae wide.

    And black Joan, frae Crighton-peel,
        O' gipsey kith an' kin;
    Five wighter carlins were na found...

Robert Burns

Ca' The Ewes.

Tune - "Ca' the ewes to the knowes."


Chorus

    Ca' the ewes to the knowes,
    Ca' them whare the heather grows,
    Ca' them whare the burnie rowes,
        My bonnie dearie!

I.

    As I gaed down the water-side,
    There I met my shepherd lad,
    He row'd me sweetly in his plaid,
        An' he ca'd me his dearie.

II.

    Will ye gang down the water-side,
    And see the waves sae sweetly glide,
    Beneath the hazels spreading wide?
        The moon it shines fu' clearly.

III.

    I was bred up at nae sic school,
    My shepherd lad, to play the fool,
    And a' the day to sit in dool,
        And naebody to see me.

IV.

    Ye sall get gowns and ribbons...

Robert Burns

What Can A Young Lassie.

Tune - "What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man."


I.

    What can a young lassie, what shall a young lassie,
        What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man?
    Bad luck on the pennie that tempted my minnie
        To sell her poor Jenny for siller an' lan'!
    Bad luck on the pennie that tempted my minnie
        To sell her poor Jenny for siller an' lan'!

II.

    He's always compleenin' frae mornin' to e'enin',
        He hosts and he hirples the weary day lang;
    He's doyl't and he's dozin', his bluid it is frozen,
        O, dreary's the night wi' a crazy auld man!
    He's doyl't and he's dozin', his bluid it is frozen,
        O, dreary's the night wi' a crazy auld man!

III.

    He hums and he ha...

Robert Burns

Merry Hae I Been Teethin' A Heckle.

Tune - "Lord Breadalbone's March."


I.

    O merry hae I been teethin' a heckle,
        And merry hae I been shapin' a spoon;
    O merry hae I been cloutin a kettle,
        And kissin' my Katie when a' was done.
    O a' the lang day I ca' at my hammer,
        An' a' the lang day I whistle and sing,
    A' the lang night I cuddle my kimmer,
        An' a' the lang night as happy's a king.

II.

    Bitter in dool I lickit my winnins,
        O' marrying Bess to gie her a slave:
    Blest be the hour she cool'd in her linens,
        And blythe be the bird that sings on her grave.
    Come to my arms, my Katie, my Katie,
        An' come to my arms and kiss me again!
    Drunken or sober, here's to thee, Katie!
  ...

Robert Burns

Hey For A Lass Wi' A Tocher.

Tune - "Balinamona Ora."



I.

    Awa wi' your witchcraft o' beauty's alarms,
    The slender bit beauty you grasp in your arms:
    O, gie me the lass that has acres o' charms,
    O, gie me the lass wi' the weel-stockit farms.
        Then hey for a lass wi' a tocher,
        Then hey for a lass wi' a tocher;
        Then hey for a lass wi' a tocher,
            The nice yellow guineas for me.

II.

    Your beauty's a flower, in the morning that blows,
    And withers the faster, the faster it grows;
    But the rapturous charm o' the bonnie green knowes,
    Ilk spring they're new deckit wi' bonnie white yowes.

III.

    And e'en when this beauty your bosom has blest,
    The brightest o' beauty may cl...

Robert Burns