Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

My Nannie's awa

Robert Burns

“My Nannie's awa” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 239 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

Now in her green mantle blythe nature arrays,

And listens the lambkins that bleat o'er the braes,

While birds warble welcomes in ilka green shaw;

But to me it's delightless—my Nannie's awa.

Verse 2

The snaw-drap and primrose our woodlands adorn,

And violets bathe in the weet o' the morn:

They pain my sad bosom, sae sweetly they blaw,

They mind me o' Nannie—my Nannie's awa.

Verse 3

Thou laverock that springs frae the dews o' the lawn,

The shepherd to warn o' the grey-breaking dawn,

And thou, mellow mavis, that hails the night-fa',

Gie over for pity—my Nannie's awa.

Verse 4

Come autumn sae pensive, in yellow and grey,

And soothe me wi' tidins o' nature's decay;

The dark, dreary winter, and wild-driving snaw,

Alane can delight me—now Nannie's awa.

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), “My Nannie's 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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