Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Anna 2

Robert Burns

“Anna 2” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 8 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Yestreen I had a pint o' wine,

A place where body saw na;

Yestreen lay on this breast o' mine

The raven locks of Anna.

The hungry Jew in wilderness,

Rejoicing ower his manna,

Was naething to my hinny bliss,

Upon the lips of Anna.

Ye monarchs tak' the east and west,

Frae Indus to Savannah!

Gi'e me within my straining grasp

The melting form of Anna.

There I'll despise imperial charms,

An empress or sultana,

While flying raptures, in her arms,

I give and take from Anna.

Awa', thou flaunting god of day!

Awa', thou pale Diana!

Ilk star gae hide thy twinkling ray,

When I'm to meet my Anna.

Come, in thy raven plumage, night,

Sun, moon, and stars, withdrawn a';

And bring an angel pen to write

Wy transports wi' my Anna.

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “Anna 2”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

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 2026-10-12. 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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