The Poetry of Robert Burns :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Poetry of Robert Burns

Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson

Burns, Robert (1759-1796)

III.

IV.

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O, can ye labour lea, young man,
O, can ye labour lea?
Gae back the gate ye came again—
Ye'se never scorn me!

I fee'd a man at Martinmas
Wi' airle-pennies three;
But a' the faut I had to him
He couldna labour lea

139

O, clappin's guid in Febarwar,
An' kissin's sweet in May;
But what signifies a young man's love,
An't dinna last for ay?

O, kissin is the key o' love
An' clappin is the lock;
An' makin of's the best thing
That e'er a young thing got!

O, can ye labour lea, young man,
O, can ye labour lea?
Gae back the gate ye came again—
Ye'se never scorn me!