Robert Burns (1759-1796)
Scots Wha Hae
1Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
2Scots, wham Bruce has aften led;
3Welcome to your gory bed,
4 Or to victory!
5Now's the day, and now's the hour;
6See the front o' battle lour;
7See approach proud Edward's power--
8 Chains and slavery!
9Wha will be a traitor knave?
10Wha can fill a coward's grave!
11Wha sae base as be a slave?
12 Let him turn and flee!
13Wha for Scotland's king and law
14Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
15Freeman stand, or freeman fa',
16 Let him follow me!
17By oppression's woes and pains!
18By your sons in servile chains!
19We will drain our dearest veins,
20 But they shall be free!
21Lay the proud usurpers low!
22Tyrants fall in every foe!
23Liberty's in every blow!--
24 Let us do or die!
Notes
1] Supposed to be addressed by Bruce to his soldiers before the Battle of Bannockburn against Edward II.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: The Morning Chronicle (May 8, 1794).
First publication date:
1794
RPO poem editor: G. G. Falle
RP edition: 3RP 2.321.
Recent editing: 4:2002/3/19
Rhyme: aaab cccb ...
Other poems by Robert Burns
