Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Lying at a Reverend Friend's house one night

Robert Burns

“Lying at a Reverend Friend's house one night” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 224 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 Thou dread Pow'r, who reign'st above,

I know Thou wilt me hear;

When for this scene of peace and love,

I make my pray'r sincere.

Verse 2

The hoary sire—the mortal stroke,

Long, long, be pleas'd to spare;

To bless his little filial flock,

And show what good men are.

Verse 3

She, who her lovely offspring eyes

With tender hopes and fears,

O, bless her with a mother's joys,

But spare a mother's tears!

Verse 4

Their hope, their stay, their darling youth,

In manhood's dawning blush;

Bless him, thou God of love and truth

Up to a parent's wish.

Verse 5

The beauteous, seraph sister-band,

With earnest tears I pray,

Thou know'st the snares on ev'ry hand,

Guide Thou their steps alway.

Verse 6

When soon or late they reach that coast,

O'er life's rough ocean driven,

May they rejoice, no wand'rer lost,

A family in Heaven!

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), “Lying at a Reverend Friend's house one night”

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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