Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Song of Death

Robert Burns

“Song of Death” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 331 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

Farewell, thou fair day, thou green earth, and ye skies,

Now gay with the bright setting sun!

Farewell, loves and friendships, ye dear, tender ties,

Our race of existence is run!

Verse 2

Thou grim King of Terrors, thou life's gloomy foe,

Go, frighten the coward and slave!

Go, teach them to tremble, fell Tyrant! but know,

No terrors hast thou for the brave!

Verse 3

Thou strik'st the dull peasant—he sinks in the dark,

Nor saves e'en the wreck of a name:

Thou strik'st the young hero—a glorious mark!

He falls in the blaze of his fame!

Verse 4

In the field of proud honour—our swords in our hands,

Our King and our Country to save—

While victory shines on life's last ebbing sands,

O! who would not rest with the brave!

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), “Song of Death”

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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