Robert Burns

Robert Burns Poems

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
...

A fond kiss, and then we sever;
A farewell, and then forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.
...

Is there for honesty poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that;
The coward slave - we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
...

When biting Boreas, fell and doure,
Sharp shivers thro' the leafless bow'r;
When Phœbus gies a short-liv'd glow'r,
Far south the lift,
...

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!
...

Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle!
...

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
...

There's nane that's blest of human kind,
But the cheerful and the gay, man,
Fal, la, la, &c.
...

Is there a whim-inspired fool,
Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule,
Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool,
Let him draw near;
...

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, and then forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.
Who shall say that Fortune grieves him,
...

Guid-Mornin' to our Majesty!
May Heaven augment your blisses
On ev'ry new birth-day ye see,
A humble poet wishes.
...

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
...

A Tale
"Of Brownyis and of Bogillis full is this Buke."
Gawin Douglas.

...

My curse upon your venom'd stang,
That shoots my tortur'd gums alang;
And thro' my lugs gies mony a twang,
Wi' gnawing vengeance;
...

O thou! whatever title suit thee,--
Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick, or Clootie!
Wha in yon cavern, grim an' sootie,
Clos'd under hatches,
...

Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes,
Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise;
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream,
Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.
...

Humid seal of soft affections,
Tend'rest pledge of future bliss,
Dearest tie of young connections,
Love's first snow-drop, virgin kiss.
...

Ah, woe is me, my mother dear!
A man of strife ye've born me:
For sair contention I maun bear;
...

A Guide New-year I wish thee, Maggie!
Hae, there's a ripp to thy auld baggie:
Tho' thou's howe-backit now, an' knaggie,
I've seen the day
...

My Son, these maxims make a rule,
An' lump them aye thegither;
The Rigid Righteous is a fool,
The Rigid Wise anither:
...

Robert Burns Biography

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, Scotland. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated for his work in both the Scots and English languages. Burns grew up on a farm and received a limited formal education. However, he was an avid reader and began writing poetry at a young age. His early work was influenced by the Scottish folk tradition, and he often incorporated local dialects and customs into his writing. In 1786, Burns published his first collection of poetry, entitled "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect." The book was an immediate success and established Burns as a major literary figure in Scotland. Many of his most famous works, such as "Auld Lang Syne" and "Tam o' Shanter," were written during this period. Burns was known for his lyrical style, his keen observation of everyday life, and his passionate defense of social justice and the rights of the common people. He was also known for his romantic relationships, which often inspired his poetry and led to a reputation as a ladies' man. Despite his success as a poet, Burns struggled financially throughout his life. He worked as a farmer and as an excise officer, but his health began to decline in his thirties. He died on July 21, 1796, at the age of 37, from complications related to a heart condition. Today, Burns is remembered as one of the most important literary figures in Scottish and English literature. His work continues to be celebrated for its vivid imagery, its celebration of Scotland's rural culture, and its exploration of universal themes such as love, friendship, and the struggle for social justice. His legacy is also celebrated annually on January 25, known as Burns Night, with traditional Scottish food, drink, and recitations of his poetry.

What is Robert Burns most famous piece of work?

Robert Burns is known for many famous works, but perhaps his most well-known piece is the poem and song, "Auld Lang Syne." The song is traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new year, and has become a global symbol of friendship, remembrance, and celebration. Other famous works by Burns include "To a Mouse," "Tam o' Shanter," and "Scots Wha Hae."

Why is Robert Burns so famous?

Robert Burns is famous for his contribution to Scottish literature and culture. He is regarded as one of the most significant literary figures in the Scottish Enlightenment and is celebrated for his poetry, songs, and ballads that celebrate Scottish culture, history, and folklore. Burns wrote about a wide range of topics, from nature and love to politics and social issues, and his works often feature vivid imagery, humor, and an accessible, colloquial style. His poems and songs have been widely translated and adapted and have become a cultural touchstone for Scotland and its diaspora. Burns Night, an annual celebration of his life and works, is observed around the world and is marked by traditional Scottish food, drink, and music. His work also influenced the Romantic movement and helped to establish the use of vernacular language in literature. Overall, Burns is remembered as a cultural icon who helped to define Scottish national identity and who continues to inspire and delight readers and audiences today.

How many poems did Burns write?

Robert Burns wrote over 550 poems and songs during his lifetime. Many of his works were written in Scots, a dialect of English spoken in Scotland, while others were written in English. His poems and songs covered a wide range of topics, from love and nature to politics and social issues, and many have become beloved classics in the Scottish and English literary canons.)

The Best Poem Of Robert Burns

A Red, Red Rose

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun:
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee well, my only Luve
And fare thee well, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile.

Robert Burns Comments

Ted Mohr 11 December 2009

Your copy of Robert Burns' A Man's a Man for A' That appears to me to have left out one line in the final stanza which when entered would make the 5th and 6th lines read: For a' that, an' a' that, It’s cuming yet, for a' that,

247 262 Reply
Ryan Walker 26 January 2012

Interesting. His poetry reminds me of when I read Mark Twain's Huckelberry Finn. It's a great use of broken and common language. It certainly adds an aspect to his poetry.

232 271 Reply
Stephen W 01 January 2014

@Ryan Walker: he was writing in Scotch, a perfectly respectable language, later suppressed by a tyrannical government.

186 179 Reply
Jennifer Barker 21 May 2015

The language is actually Scots, not Scotch (as in the whisky) . It is a 800+ year old language.

54 33 Reply
Robert Buchanan 17 July 2015

Stephen he may well have been drinking Scotch but as Jennifer says the language is Scots or Auld Scots and it was not so much the language which was suppressed but the culture of the people, the music and the dress but to give two examples. Robert Burns was a remarkable man, his breath may have stopped but his voice is still heard.

51 32 Reply
DawnMarie Crake 25 January 2022

It's Burns' Night - celebrate accordingly!

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DawnMarie Crake 25 January 2022

It's Burns

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Aidan 21 January 2022

Hdh

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Rob Brooker 24 August 2021

Can't find Burnss Comin Thro the Rye

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Wonderful poems..... but so much better when spoken in a soft Scottish voice

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