Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

O Philly

Robert Burns

“O Philly” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 259 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

HE.

O Philly, happy be that day

When, roving through the gather'd hay,

My youthfu' heart was stown away,

And by thy charms, my Philly.

Verse 2

SHE.

O Willy, aye I bless the grove

Where first I own'd my maiden love,

Whilst thou didst pledge the Powers above

To be my ain dear Willy.

Verse 3

HE.

As songsters of the early year

Are ilka day mair sweet to hear,

So ilka day to me mair dear

And charming is my Philly.

Verse 4

SHE.

As on the brier the budding rose

Still richer breathes and fairer blows,

So in my tender bosom grows

The love I bear my Willy.

Verse 5

HE.

The milder sun and bluer sky,

That crown my harvest cares wi' joy,

Were ne'er sae welcome to my eye

As is a sight o' Philly.

Verse 6

SHE.

The little swallow's wanton wing,

Tho' wafting o'er the flowery spring,

Did ne'er to me sic tidings bring

As meeting o' my Willy.

Verse 7

HE.

The bee that thro' the sunny hour

Sips nectar in the opening flower,

Compar'd wi' my delight is poor,

Upon the lips o' Philly.

Verse 8

SHE.

The woodbine in the dewy weet

When evening shades in silence meet,

Is nocht sae fragrant or sae sweet

As is a kiss o' Willy.

Verse 9

HE.

Let fortune's wheel at random rin,

And fools may tyne, and knaves may win;

My thoughts are a' bound up in ane,

And that's my ain dear Philly.

Verse 10

SHE.

What's a' the joys that gowd can gie!

I care na wealth a single flie;

The lad I love's the lad for me,

And that's my ain dear Willy.

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), “O Philly”

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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