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Song—Rantin, Rovin Robin

by Robert Burns, 1785

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

Chor.—robin was a rovin' boy,
  Rantin', rovin', rantin', rovin',
Robin was a rovin' boy,
  Rantin', rovin', Robin!

Our monarch's hindmost year but ane
Was five-and-twenty days begun,
'Twas then a blast o' Janwar' win'
  Blew hansel in on Robin.
                Robin was, &c.

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."
                Robin was, &c.

"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."
                Robin was, &c.

"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."
                Robin was, &c.

"Guid faith," quo', scho, "I doubt you gar
The bonie lasses lie aspar;
But twenty fauts ye may hae waur
  So blessins on thee! Robin."
                Robin was, &c.

Published in Poems and Songs of Robert Burns
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