Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
48 / 80
Public-domain lyrics

It is na, Jean

Robert Burns

“It is na, Jean” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 48 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

It is na, Jean, thy bonnie face,

Nor shape that I admire,

Although thy beauty and thy grace

Might weel awake desire.

Something, in ilka part o' thee,

To praise, to love, I find;

But dear as is thy form to me,

Still dearer is thy mind.

Nae mair ungen'rous wish I ha'e,

Nor stronger in my breast,

Than if I canna mak' thee sae,

At least to see thee blest.

Content am I, if heaven shall give

But happiness to thee:

And as wi' thee I'd wish to live,

For thee I'd bear to 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, “It is na, Jean”

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.
Keep tracing

More from Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics.

01A Rose-budPublic-domain lyrics02A red, red RosePublic-domain lyrics03Address to a LadyPublic-domain lyrics04AdieuPublic-domain lyrics