Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Wha is that at my Bower Door?

Robert Burns

“Wha is that at my Bower Door?” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 492 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

Wha is that at my bower door?

O wha is it but Findlay;

Then gae your gate, ye'se nae be here!

Indeed maun I, quo' Findlay.

What mak ye sae like a thief?

O come and see, quo' Findlay;

Before the morn ye'll work mischief;

Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.

Verse 2

Gif I rise and let you in;

Let me in, quo' Findlay;

Ye'll keep me waukin wi' your din;

Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.

In my bower if ye should stay;

Let me stay, quo' Findlay;

I fear ye'll bide till break o' day;

Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.

Verse 3

Here this night if ye remain;

I'll remain, quo' Findlay;

I dread ye'll learn the gate again;

Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.

What may pass within this bower—

Let it pass, quo' Findlay.

Ye maun conceal till your last hour;

Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.

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), “Wha is that at my Bower Door?”

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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