Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Poetical Address to Mr. William Tytler

Robert Burns

“Poetical Address to Mr. William Tytler” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 305 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

Revered defender of beauteous Stuart,

Of Stuart, a name once respected,

A name, which to love, was the mark of a true heart,

But now 'tis despis'd and neglected.

Verse 2

Tho' something like moisture conglobes in my eye,

Let no one misdeem me disloyal;

A poor friendless wand'rer may well claim a sigh,

Still more, if that wand'rer were royal.

Verse 3

My fathers that name have rever'd on a throne;

My fathers have fallen to right it;

Those fathers would spurn their degenerate son,

That name should he scoffingly slight it.

Verse 4

Still in prayers for King George I most heartily join,

The Queen, and the rest of the gentry,

Be they wise, be they foolish, is nothing of mine;

Their title's avow'd by my country.

Verse 5

But why of this epocha make such a fuss,

That gave us the Hanover stem.

If bringing them over was lucky for us,

I'm sure 'twas as lucky for them.

Verse 6

But, loyalty, truce! we're on dangerous ground,

Who knows how the fashions may alter?

The doctrine, to-day, that is loyalty sound,

To-morrow may bring us a halter.

Verse 7

I send you a trifle, a head of a bard,

A trifle scarce worthy your care;

But accept it, good Sir, as a mark of regard,

Sincere as a saint's dying prayer.

Verse 8

Now life's chilly evening dim shades in your eye,

And ushers the long dreary night;

But you like the star that athwart gilds the sky,

Your course to the latest is bright.

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), “Poetical Address to Mr. William Tytler”

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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