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by Robert Burns (1759 - 1796)

Here's to thy health, my bonnie lass
Language: English 
Here's to thy health, my bonnie lass, 
Gude night, and joy be wi' thee;  
I'll come nae mair to thy bower door, 
To tell thee that I love thee. 
O dinna think, my pretty pink, 
But I can live without thee; 
I vow and swear I dinna care 
How lang ye look about ye.  

Thou'rt ay sae free informing me 
Thou hast nae mind to marry;  
I'll be as free informing thee 
Nae time hae I to tarry. 
I ken thy friends try ilka means, 
Frae wedlock to delay thee, 
Depending on some higher chance;
But fortune may betray thee.  

I ken they scorn my low estate, 
But that does never grieve me; 
But I'm as free as any he, 
Sma' siller will relieve me. 
I count my health my greatest wealth, 
Sae lang as I'll enjoy it; 
I'll fear nae scant, I'll bode nae want, 
As lang's I get employment.  

But far off fowls hae feathers fair, 
And ay until ye try them; 
Tho' they seem fair, still have a care, 
They may prove waur than I am. 
But at twel' at night, when the moon shines bright, 
My dear, I'll come and see thee; 
For the man that loves his mistress weel 
Nae travel makes him weary.

About the headline (FAQ)

Confirmed with Robert Burns, The Caledonian Musical Museum [edited by his son], London: J. Dick, 1809, pages 227 - 228.


Text Authorship:

  • by Robert Burns (1759 - 1796), no title, appears in Scots Musical Museum [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

    [ None yet in the database ]

Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

  • Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Adolf Wilhelm Ernst von Winterfeld (1824 - 1888) , "Dein Wohlsein, meine schöne Maid" ; composed by Wilhelm Tappert.
      • Go to the text.

Researcher for this page: Melanie Trumbull

This text was added to the website: 2022-01-11
Line count: 32
Word count: 209

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