Robert Crawfurd: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Doun the burn, Davie

Robert Crawfurd

“Doun the burn, Davie” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Crawfurd: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

When trees did bud, and fields were green,

And broom bloom'd fair to see;

When Mary was complete fifteen,

And love laugh'd in her e'e;

Blythe Davie's blinks her heart did move

To speak her mind thus free;

Gang down the burn, Davie, love,

And I will follow thee.

Now Davie did each lad surpass

That dwelt on this burnside;

And Mary was the bonniest lass,

Just meet to be a bride:

Her cheeks were rosie, red and white;

Her een were bonnie blue;

Her looks were like the morning bright,

Her lips like dropping dew.

As down the burn they took their way,

And through the flow'ry dale;

His cheek to hers he aft did lay,

And love was aye the tale.

With, Mary, when shall we return,

Sic pleasure to renew?

Quoth Mary, Love, I like the burn,

And aye will follow you.

Credits

Written by Robert Crawfurd

Words by Robert Crawfurd. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “Doun the burn, Davie”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

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 2026-10-12. 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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