Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Hurrah for the Bonnets of Blue

Robert Burns

“Hurrah for the Bonnets of Blue” as printed in The Scottish Minstrel (First Series) (1850).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 73 1850 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Scottish Minstrel (First Series), a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Here's a health to them that's awa.

Here's a health to them that's awa,

And wha winna wish guid luek to our cause,

May never guid luck be their fa'.

It's guid to be merry and wise,

It's guid to be honest and true,

It's guid to support Caledonia's cause,

And bide by the bonnets of blue.

Hurrah for the bonnets of blue,

Hurrah for the bonnets of blue:

It's guid to support Caledonia's cause,

And bide by the bonnets of blue.

Verse 2

Here's a health to them that's awa,

Here's a health to them that's awa;

Here's a health to Charlie, the chief o' the clan,

Although that his band be sae sma'.

Here's freedom to them that would read,

Here's freedom to them that would write;

There's nane ever fear'd that the truth should be heard,

But they whom the truth would indite.

Hurrah for the bonnets of blue,

Hurrah for the bonnets of blue;

It's guid to be wise, to be honest, and true.

And bide by the bonnets of blue.

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns. Historical text published in The Scottish Minstrel (First Series) (1850); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Scottish Minstrel (First Series) (1850), “Hurrah for the Bonnets of Blue”

Every contribution in this 1850 anthology predates modern copyright terms; any contributor died more than 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide.

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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