Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Bannockburn

Robert Burns

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

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 119 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

Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,

Scots, wham Bruce has aften led;

Welcome to your gory bed,

Or to glorious victorie.

Verse 2

Now's the day, and now's the hour;

See the front o' battle lower;

See approach proud Edward's power—

Edward! chains and slaverie!

Verse 3

Wha will be a traitor knave?

Wha can fill a coward's grave?

Wha sae base as be a slave?

Traitor! coward! turn and flee!

Verse 4

Wha for Scotland's King and law

Freedom's sword will strongly draw,

Free-man stand, or free-man fa'?

Caledonian! on wi' me!

Verse 5

By oppression's woes and pains!

By your sons in servile chains!

We will drain our dearest veins,

But they shall—they shall be free!

Verse 6

Lay the proud usurpers low!

Tyrants fall in every foe!

Liberty's in every blow!

Forward! let us do, or die!

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns (died 1796). 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), “Bannockburn”

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. The credited author died in 1796.

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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