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, Highland laddie,
    Ere aught thy manly courage shake,
        Bonnie Highland laddie.
    Go, for yourself procure renown,
        Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie;
    And for your lawful king, his crown,
        Bonnie Highland laddie.

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

Of A' The Airts The Wind Can Blaw

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Tibbie, I Hae Seen The Day.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

The Day Returns.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Adown Winding Nith.

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.

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

My Harry Was A Gallant Gay.

Tune - "Highland's Lament."


I.

    My Harry was a gallant gay,
        Fu' stately strode he on the plain:
    But now he's banish'd far away,
        I'll never see him back again,
                O for him back again!
                    O for him back again!
                I wad gie a' Knockhaspie's land
                    For Highland Harry back again.

II.

    When a' the lave gae to their bed,
        I wander dowie up the glen;
    I set me down and greet my fill,
        And ay I wish him back again.

III.

    O were some villains hangit high.
        And ilka body had their ain!
    Then I might see the joyfu' sight,
        My Highland Harry back again.
                O for him bac...

Robert Burns

My Collier Laddie.

Tune - "The Collier Laddie."


I.

    Where live ye, my bonnie lass?
        An' tell me what they ca' ye;
    My name, she says, is Mistress Jean,
        And I follow the Collier Laddie.
    My name she says, is Mistress Jean,
        And I follow the Collier Laddie.

II.

    See you not yon hills and dales,
        The sun shines on sae brawlie!
    They a' are mine, and they shall be thine,
        Gin ye'll leave your Collier Laddie.
    They a' are mine, and they shall be thine,
        Gin ye'll leave your Collier Laddie.

III.

    Ye shall gang in gay attire,
        Weel buskit up sae gaudy;
    And ane to wait on every hand,
        Gin ye'll leave your Collier Laddie.
    And ane to wa...

Robert Burns

Country Lassie.

Tune - "The Country Lass."


I.

    In simmer, when the hay was mawn,
        And corn wav'd green in ilka field,
    While claver blooms white o'er the lea,
        And roses blaw in ilka bield;
    Blithe Bessie in the milking shiel,
        Says, I'll be wed, come o't what will;
    Out spak a dame in wrinkled eild
        O' guid advisement comes nae ill.

II.

    It's ye hae wooers mony ane,
        And, lassie, ye're but young ye ken;
    Then wait a wee, and cannie wale,
        A routhie butt, a routhie ben:
    There's Johnie o' the Buskie-glen,
        Fu' is his burn, fu' is his byre;
    Tak this frae me, my bonnie hen,
        It's plenty beets the luver's fire.

III.

    For Johnie ...

Robert Burns

There Was A Bonnie Lass.

I.

        There was a bonnie lass,
        And a bonnie, bonnie lass,
    And she lo'ed her bonnie laddie dear;
        Till war's loud alarms
        Tore her laddie frae her arms,
    Wi' mony a sigh and tear.

II.

        Over sea, over shore,
        Where the cannons loudly roar,
    He still was a stranger to fear;
        And nocht could him quell,
        Or his bosom assail,
    But the bonnie lass he lo'ed sae dear.

Robert Burns

Lady Mary Ann.

Tune - "Craigtown's growing."


I.

    O, Lady Mary Ann
        Looks o'er the castle wa',
    She saw three bonnie boys
        Playing at the ba';
    The youngest he was
        The flower amang them a'
    My bonnie laddie's young,
        But he's growin' yet.

II.

    O father! O father!
        An' ye think it fit,
    We'll send him a year
        To the college yet:
    We'll sew a green ribbon
        Round about his hat,
    And that will let them ken
        He's to marry yet.

III.

    Lady Mary Ann
        Was a flower i' the dew,
    Sweet was its smell,
        And bonnie was its hue;
    And the langer it blossom'd
        The sweeter it grew;
    Fo...

Robert Burns