Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

On a Bank of Flowers

Robert Burns

“On a Bank of Flowers” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 279 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

On a bank of flowers, in a summer day,

For summer lightly drest,

The youthful blooming Nelly lay,

With love and sleep opprest;

Verse 2

When Willie, wand'ring thro' the wood,

Who for her favour oft had sued;

He gaz'd, he wish'd, he fear'd, he blush'd,

And trembled where he stood.

Verse 3

Her closed eyes, like weapons sheath'd,

Were seal'd in soft repose;

Her lips, still as she fragrant breath'd,

It richer dy'd the rose.

Verse 4

The springing lilies sweetly prest,

Wild-wanton kiss'd her rival breast;

He gaz'd, he wish'd, he fear'd, he blush'd,

His bosom ill at rest.

Verse 5

Her robes, light waving in the breeze,

Her tender limbs embrace!

Her lovely form, her native ease,

All harmony and grace!

Verse 6

Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,

A faltering ardent kiss he stole;

He gaz'd, he wish'd, he fear'd, he blush'd,

And sigh'd his very soul.

Verse 7

As flies the partridge from the brake

On fear-inspired wings;

So Nelly, starting, half awake,

Away affrighted springs:

Verse 8

But Willie follow'd—as he should,

He overtook her in the wood:

He vow'd, he pray'd, he found the maid

Forgiving all, and good.

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), “On a Bank of Flowers”

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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