Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

And maun I still on Menie doat

Robert Burns

“And maun I still on Menie doat” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 111 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

Again rejoicing nature sees

Her robe assume its vernal hues,

Her leafy locks wave in the breeze,

All freshly steep'd in morning dews.

Verse 2

CHORUS.

And maun I still on Menie doat,

And bear the scorn that's in her e'e?

For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk,

An' it winna let a body be!

Verse 3

In vain to me the cowslips blaw,

In vain to me, the vi'lets spring;

In vain to me, in glen or shaw,

The mavis and the lintwhite sing.

And maun I still, &c.

Verse 4

The merry ploughboy cheers his team,

Wi' joy the tentie seedsman stalks,

But life to me's a weary dream,

A dream of ane that never wauks.

And maun I still, &c.

Verse 5

The wanton coot the water skims,

Amang the reeds the ducklings cry,

The stately swan majestic swims,

And every thing is blest but I.

And maun I still, &c.

Verse 6

The sheep-herd steeks his faulding slap,

And owre the moorlands whistles shill,

Wi' wild, unequal, wand'ring step

I meet him on the dewy hill.

And maun I still, &c.

Verse 7

And when the lark, 'tween light and dark,

Blythe waukens by the daisy's side,

And mounts and sings on flittering wings,

A woe-worn ghaist I hameward glide.

And maun I still, &c.

Verse 8

Come Winter, with thine angry howl,

And raging bend the naked tree;

Thy gloom will soothe my cheerless soul,

When Nature all is sad like me!

And maun I still on Menie doat,

And bear the scorn that's in her e'e?

For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk,

An' it winna let a body be.

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), “And maun I still on Menie doat”

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

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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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