Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

'Though Fickle Fortune'

Robert Burns

“'Though Fickle Fortune'” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 83 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

Though fickle Fortune has deceiv'd me,

She promis'd fair and perform'd but ill;

Of mistress, friends, and wealth bereav'd me,

Yet I bear a heart shall support me still.—

Verse 2

I'll act with prudence as far's I'm able,

But if success I must never find,

Then come misfortune, I bid thee welcome,

I'll meet thee with an undaunted mind.—

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), “'Though Fickle Fortune'”

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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