Poems by Robert Burns

Presented by the RBWF

O Poortith Cauld – Song

O POORTITH cauld, and restless love,
Ye wrack my peace between ye;
Yet poortith a' I could forgive,
An 'twere na for my Jeanie.

Chorus
O why should Fate sic pleasure have,
Life's dearest bands untwining?
Or why sae sweet a flower as love,
Depend on Fortune's shining?

The warld's wealth, when I think on,
Its pride, and a' the lave o 't;
A curse on silly coward man,
That he should be the slave o 't.
O why &c.

Her een sae bonie blue betray,
How she repays my passion;
But Prudence is her o'erword ay,
She talks o' rank and fashion.
O why &c.

O wha can prudence think upon,
And sic a lassie by him:
O wha can prudence think upon,
And sae in love as I am?
O why &c.

How blest the wild-wood Indian’s fate,
He wooes his simple Dearie:
The silly bogles, Wealth and State,
Did never make him eerie,
O why &c.