Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

My Nannie, O

Robert Burns

“My Nannie, O” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 67 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

Behind yon hills, where Lugar flows,

'Mang moors and mosses many, O,

The wintry sun the day has clos'd,

And I'll awa' to Nannie, O.

The westlin wind blaws loud and shrill;

The night's baith mirk and rainy, O;

But I'll get my plaid, and out I'll steal.

And o'er the hill to Nannie, O.

My Nannie's charming, sweet, and young;

Nae artfu' wiles to win ye, O:

May ill befa' the flattering tongue

That wad beguile my Nannie, O.

Her face is fair, her heart is true,

As spotless as she's bonnie, O;

The opening gowan wat wi' dew,

Nae purer is than Nannie, O.

A country lad is my degree,

And few there be that ken me, O;

But what care I how few they be?

I'm welcome aye to Nannie, O.

My riches a's my penny fee,

And I maun guide it cannie, O;

But warl's gear ne'er troubles me,

My thoughts are a' my Nannie, O.

Our auld gudeman delights to view

His sheep and kye thrive bonnie, O;

But I'm as blythe that hauds his plough,

And has nae care but Nannie, O.

Come weel, come wae, I carena by,

I'll tak' what heaven will send me, O;

Nae ither care in life ha'e I,

But live and love my Nannie, O.

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, “My Nannie, O”

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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