Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Kenmure's on and awa

Robert Burns

“Kenmure's on and awa” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 207 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

O Kenmure's on and awa, Willie!

O Kenmure's on and awa!

And Kenmure's lord's the bravest lord

That ever Galloway saw.

Verse 2

Success to Kenmure's band, Willie!

Success to Kenmure's band;

There's no a heart that fears a Whig

That rides by Kenmure's hand.

Verse 3

Here's Kenmure's health in wine, Willie!

Here's Kenmure's health in wine;

There ne'er was a coward o' Kenmure's blude,

Nor yet o' Gordon's line.

Verse 4

O Kenmure's lads are men, Willie!

O Kenmure's lads are men;

Their hearts and swords are metal true—

And that their faes shall ken.

Verse 5

They'll live or die wi' fame, Willie!

They'll live or die wi' fame;

But soon, wi' sounding victorie,

May Kenmure's lord come hame.

Verse 6

Here's him that's far away, Willie!

Here's him that's far awa;

And here's the flower that I love best—

The rose that's like the snaw!

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), “Kenmure's on and awa”

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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