Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Verses written under violent grief

Robert Burns

“Verses written under violent grief” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 487 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

Accept the gift a friend sincere

Wad on thy worth be pressin';

Remembrance oft may start a tear,

But oh! that tenderness forbear,

Though 'twad my sorrows lessen.

Verse 2

My morning raise sae clear and fair,

I thought sair storms wad never

Bedew the scene; but grief and care

In wildest fury hae made bare

My peace, my hope, for ever!

Verse 3

You think I'm glad; oh, I pay weel

For a' the joy I borrow,

In solitude—then, then I feel

I canna to mysel' conceal

My deeply-ranklin' sorrow.

Verse 4

Farewell within thy bosom free

A sigh may whiles awaken;

A tear may wet thy laughin' ee,

For Scotia's son—ance gay like thee—

Now hopeless, comfortless, forsaken!

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 written under violent grief”

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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