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Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

A Prayer, under the pressure of violent anguish

Robert Burns

“A Prayer, under the pressure of violent anguish” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 90 1887 · historical text
Public domainScottish songSong lyrics
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Poetical Works of Robert Burns, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

O Thou Great Being what Thou art

Surpasses me to know:

Yet sure I am, that known to Thee

Are all Thy works below.

Verse 2

Thy creature here before Thee stands,

All wretched and distrest;

Yet sure those ills that wring my soul

Obey Thy high behest.

Verse 3

Sure, Thou, Almighty, canst not act

From cruelty or wrath!

O, free my weary eyes from tears,

Or close them fast in death!

Verse 4

But if I must afflicted be,

To suit some wise design;

Then, man my soul with firm resolves

To bear and not repine!

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns. Historical text published in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887), “A Prayer, under the pressure of violent anguish”

Every text in this 1887 collected edition is by Robert Burns (1759-1796), who died more than 230 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination and a pre-1931 United States publication.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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