Robert Burns

Robert Burns Poems

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet widely regarded as the “national poet of Scotland.” He is known for writing in a “light Scotts dialect.” This exposed a wider audience to the traditional Scottish language poetry than previously thought possible. His piece Auld Lang Syneis often sung near the end of the year.

To a Mouse

by Robert Burns

‘To a Mouse’ by Robert Burns describes the unfortunate situation of a mouse whose home was destroyed by the winter winds. 

Robert Burns is known for his use of the Scots language and his exploration of the human experience, often drawing on the beauty of the Scottish landscape and the lives of ordinary people. 'To a Mouse' is one of his best examples of poetry, particularly his use of dialect.

Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim’rous beastie,

O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!

Thou need na start awa sae hasty,

          Wi’ bickerin brattle!

Explore more poems from Robert Burns

A Red, Red Rose

by Robert Burns

‘A Red, Red Rose’ by Robert Burns is a poem that is in the ballad formation of four-line stanzas with ABBA rhyme schemes.

O my Luve is like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June;

O my Luve is like the melody

That’s sweetly played in tune.

A Bard’s Epitaph

by Robert Burns

‘A Bard’s Epitaph’ written by Robert Burns, the National Bard of Scotland, is an epitaph, composed 10 years before the

Ae Fond Kiss

by Robert Burns

‘Ae Fond Kiss’ by Robert Burns tells of the unfortunate parting of two lovers, and a speaker’s depression over the many parts of his life he is losing.

Auld Lang Syne

by Robert Burns

‘Auld Lang Syne’ is a poem that addresses old acquaintances and the memories associated with them at the end of a year. It is a famous poem that is sung all across the world.

For a’ That and a’ That

by Robert Burns

‘For a’ That and a’ That’ by Robert Burns was written in 1794, published in ’75, and then again in 1799. The poem often appears under the title, ‘Is There for Honest Poverty’, or ‘A Man’s a Man for A’ That.’

Scots Wha Hae

by Robert Burns

‘Scots Wha Hae’ (Scots, Who Have in English and Brosnachadh Bhruis in Scottish Gaelic) is a song written in 1793

The Slave’s Lament

by Robert Burns

‘The Slave’s Lament’ by Robert Burns is a song capturing the heart-wrenching pain of a slave enthralled from Senegal. This poem features the theme of the agony of captivity.

To A Louse

by Robert Burns

‘To A Louse—On Seeing One On A Lady’s Bonnet, At Church’ by Robert Burns dates back to 1786 and it’s

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