Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
453 / 519
Public-domain lyrics

To John M'Murdo, Esq.

Robert Burns

“To John M'Murdo, Esq.” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 453 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

O, could I give thee India's wealth,

As I this trifle send!

Because thy joy in both would be

To share them with a friend.

Verse 2

But golden sands did never grace

The Heliconian stream;

Then take what gold could never buy—

An honest Bard's esteem.

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), “To John M'Murdo, Esq.”

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.
Keep tracing

More from Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics.

01A Rose-budPublic-domain lyrics02A red, red RosePublic-domain lyrics03Address to a LadyPublic-domain lyrics04AdieuPublic-domain lyrics