Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Banks of Devon

Robert Burns

“Banks of Devon” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 118 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

How pleasant the banks of the clear-winding Devon,

With green-spreading bushes, and flowers blooming fair!

But the boniest flower on the banks of the Devon

Was once a sweet bud on the braes of the Ayr.

Verse 2

Mild be the sun on this sweet blushing flower,

In the gay rosy morn as it bathes in the dew!

And gentle the fall of the soft vernal shower,

That steals on the evening each leaf to renew.

Verse 3

O, spare the dear blossom, ye orient breezes,

With chill hoary wing as ye usher the dawn!

And far be thou distant, thou reptile that seizes

The verdure and pride of the garden and lawn!

Verse 4

Let Bourbon exult in his gay gilded lilies,

And England triumphant display her proud rose;

A fairer than either adorns the green valleys

Where Devon, sweet Devon, meandering flows.

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), “Banks of Devon”

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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