Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Bruce's Address

Robert Burns

“Bruce's Address” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 22 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

"Hey now the day dawis,

The jollie cok crauis,

Now shrouds the shauis

Throw nature anone;

The thissel-cok cryis

On lovers wha lyis,

Now skaillis the skyis,

The night is near gone."

Verse 2

"Hey, tuttie taitie!

Hey, drucken Patie!

The gruns o' the ale barrel

Are no for me."

Verse 3

Scots, wha ha'e wi' Wallace bled!

Scots, wham Bruce has aften led!

Welcome to your gory bed,

Or to victorie!

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

See the front of battle lour:

See approach proud Edward's power-

Chains and slaverie!

Wha will be a traitor knave?

Wha will fill a coward's grave?

Wha sae base as be a slave?

Let him turn and flee!

Wha, for Scotland's king and law,

Freedom's sword will strongly draw,

Freeman stand, or freeman fa',

Let him follow me!

By oppression's woes and pains,

By your sons in servile chains.

We will drain our dearest veins,

But they shall be free.

Lay the proud usurpers low!

Tyrants fall in every foe!

Liberty's in every blow!

Let us do or die!

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, “Bruce's Address”

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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