Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Chevalier's Lament

Robert Burns

“The Chevalier's Lament” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 367 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

The small birds rejoice in the green leaves returning,

The murmuring streamlet winds clear thro' the vale;

The hawthorn trees blow in the dews of the morning,

And wild scatter'd cowslips bedeck the green dale:

Verse 2

But what can give pleasure, or what can seem fair,

While the lingering moments are number'd by care?

No flowers gaily springing, nor birds sweetly singing,

Can soothe the sad bosom of joyless despair.

Verse 3

The deed that I dar'd could it merit their malice,

A King or a Father to place on his throne?

His right are these hills, and his right are these valleys,

Where the wild beasts find shelter, but I can find none.

Verse 4

But 'tis not my sufferings thus wretched, forlorn,

My brave gallant friends, 'tis your ruin I mourn:

Your deeds prov'd so loyal in hot bloody trial,

Alas! can I make you no sweeter return?

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), “The Chevalier's Lament”

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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