A Portrait of Robert Burns Robert Burns

1785 · Song

Rantin’, Rovin’ Robin


Tune ·  Daintie Davie

There was a lad was born in Kyle,But whatna day o’ whatna style,I doubt it’s hardly worth the whileTo be sae nice wi’ Robin.4

Chorus

Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, rantin’, rovin’,Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, Robin!8
Our monarch’s hindmost year but aneWas five-and-twenty days begun,’Twas then a blast o’ Janwar’ win’Blew hansel in on Robin.12

Chorus

Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, rantin’, rovin’,Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, Robin!16
The gossip keekit in his loof,Quo’ scho, “Wha lives will see the proof,This waly boy will be nae coof:I think we’ll ca’ him Robin.”20

Chorus

Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, rantin’, rovin’,Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, Robin!24
“He’ll hae misfortunes great an’ sma’,But aye a heart aboon them a’,He’ll be a credit till us a’—We’ll a’ be proud o’ Robin.”28

Chorus

Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, rantin’, rovin’,Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, Robin!32
“But sure as three times three mak nine,I see by ilka score and line,This chap will dearly like our kin’,So leeze me on thee! Robin.”36

Chorus

Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, rantin’, rovin’,Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, Robin!40
“Guid faith,” quo’, scho, “I doubt you garThe bonie lasses lie aspar;But twenty fauts ye may hae waurSo blessins on thee! Robin.”44

Chorus

Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, rantin’, rovin’,Robin was a rovin’ boy,Rantin’, rovin’, Robin!48

Footnotes

  1. 1. Not published by Burns.
  2. 2. January 25, 1759, the date of my bardship’s vital existence.—R.B.
Year
1785
Form
Song
Location
Mossgiel
Tune
Daintie Davie
Source
Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns