Poem by Robert Burns

Tam Glen

MY heart is a-breaking, dear Tittie,
	Some counsel unto me come len’,
To anger them a’ is a pity,
	But what will I do wi’ Tam Glen?

I’m thinking, wi’ sic a braw fellow,
	In poortith I might mak a fen;
What care I in riches to wallow,
	If I maunna marry Tam Glen!

There’s Lowrie the Laird o’ Dumeller—
	“Gude day to you, brute!” he comes ben:
He brags and he blaws o’ his siller,
	But when will he dance like Tam Glen!

My minnie does constantly deave me,
	And bids me beware o’ young men;
They flatter, she says, to deceive me,
	But wha can think sae o’ Tam Glen!

My daddie says, gin I’ll forsake him,
	He’d gie me gude hunder marks ten;
But, if it’s ordain’d I maun take him,
	O wha will I get but Tam Glen!

Yestreen at the Valentine’s dealing,
	My heart to my mou’ gied a sten’;
For thrice I drew ane without failing,
	And thrice it was written “Tam Glen”!

The last Halloween I was waukin
	My droukit sark-sleeve, as ye ken,
His likeness came up the house staukin,
	And the very grey breeks o’ Tam Glen!

Come, counsel, dear Tittie, don’t tarry;
	I’ll gie ye my bonie black hen,
Gif ye will advise me to marry
	The lad I lo’e dearly, Tam Glen.

1. I Gaed a Waefu' Gate Yestreen
2. Blythe Was She
3. Farewell to Ballochmyle
4. Stay My Charmer
5. On a Bank of Flowers

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