Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Highland Laddie

Robert Burns

“The Highland Laddie” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 387 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 boniest lad that e'er I saw,

Bonie laddie, Highland laddie,

Wore a plaid and was fu' braw,

Bonie Highland laddie.

On his head a bonnet blue,

Bonie laddie, Highland laddie,

His royal heart was firm and true,

Bonie Highland laddie.

Verse 2

Trumpets sound and cannons roar,

Bonie lassie, Lawland lassie,

And a' the hills wi' echoes roar,

Bonie Lawland lassie.

Glory, Honour, now invite,

Bonie lassie, Lawland lassie,

For Freedom and my King to fight,

Bonie Lawland lassie.

Verse 3

The sun a backward course shall take,

Bonie laddie, Highland laddie,

Ere aught thy manly courage shake;

Bonie Highland laddie.

Go, for yoursel procure renown,

Bonie laddie, Highland laddie,

And for your lawful King his crown,

Bonie Highland laddie!

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 Highland Laddie”

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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