Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The tither Morn

Robert Burns

“The tither Morn” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 432 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 tither morn,

When I forlorn,

Aneath an aik sat moaning,

I did na trow,

I'd see my Jo,

Beside me, gain the gloaming.

But he sae trig,

Lap o'er the rig,

And dawtingly did cheer me,

When I, what reck,

Did least expec',

To see my lad so near me.

Verse 2

His bonnet he,

A thought ajee,

Cock'd sprush when first he clasped me;

And I, I wat,

Wi' fainness grat,

While in his grips he press'd me,

Deil tak' the war!

I late and air,

Hae wish'd since Jock departed;

But now as glad

I'm wi' my lad,

As short syne broken-hearted.

Verse 3

Fu' aft at e'en

Wi' dancing keen,

When a' were blythe and merry,

I car'd na by,

Sae sad was I

In absence o' my dearie.

But, praise be blest,

My mind's at rest,

I'm happy wi' my Johnny:

At kirk and fair,

I'se ay be there,

And be as canty's ony.

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 tither Morn”

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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