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Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Verses to an old Sweetheart, then married

Robert Burns

“Verses to an old Sweetheart, then married” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 485 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

Once fondly lov'd, and still remember'd dear,

Sweet early object of my youthful vows,

Accept this mark of friendship, warm, sincere;

Friendship! 'tis all cold duty now allows.

Verse 2

And when you read the simple artless rhymes,

One friendly sigh for him, he asks no more,

Who distant burns in flaming torrid climes,

Or haply lies beneath th' Atlantic roar.

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), “Verses to an old Sweetheart, then married”

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

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