Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
516 / 519
Public-domain lyrics

Young Peggy

Robert Burns

“Young Peggy” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 516 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

Young Peggy blooms our boniest lass,

Her blush is like the morning,

The rosy dawn, the springing grass,

With early gems adorning:

Her eyes outshine the radiant beams.

That gild the passing shower,

And glitter o'er the crystal streams,

And cheer each fresh'ning flower.

Verse 2

Her lips more than the cherries bright,

A richer dye has grac'd them;

They charm th' admiring gazer's sight,

And sweetly tempt to taste them:

Her smile is as the ev'ning mild,

When feather'd pairs are courting,

And little lambkins wanton wild,

In playful bands disporting.

Verse 3

Were Fortune lovely Peggy's foe,

Such sweetness would relent her,

As blooming Spring unbends the brow

Of surly, savage Winter.

Detraction's eye no aim can gain

Her winning powers to lessen;

And fretful envy grins in vain,

The poison'd tooth to fasten.

Verse 4

Ye Pow'rs of Honour, Love, and Truth,

From ev'ry ill defend her;

Inspire the highly favour'd youth

The destinies intend her;

Still fan the sweet connubial flame

Responsive in each bosom;

And bless the dear parental name

With many a filial blossom.

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), “Young Peggy”

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