Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
506 / 519
Public-domain lyrics

Women's Minds

Robert Burns

“Women's Minds” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 506 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

Tho' women's minds like winter winds

May shift and turn, and a' that,

The noblest breast adores them maist,

A consequence I draw that.

Verse 2

For a' that, and a' that,

And twice as meikle's a' that,

The bonie lass that I loe best

She'll be my ain for a' that.

Verse 3

Great love I bear to all the fair,

Their humble slave, and a' that;

But lordly will, I hold it still

A mortal sin to thraw that.

For a' that, &c.

Verse 4

But there is ane aboon the lave,

Has wit, and sense, and a' that;

A bonie lass, I like her best,

And wha a crime dare ca' that?

For a' that, &c.

Verse 5

In rapture sweet this hour we meet,

Wi' mutual love and a' that;

But for how lang the flie may stang,

Let inclination law that.

For a' that, &c.

Verse 6

Their tricks and craft hae put me daft,

They've ta'en me in, and a' that;

But clear your decks, and here's 'The Sex!'

I like the jades for a' that.

For a' that, &c.

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), “Women's Minds”

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