Tam Glen (1)/Tam Glen

by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

For other versions of this work, see Tam Glen.

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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 fallow,
In poortith I might mak a fen';
What care I in riches to wallow,
If I maunna marry Tam Glen.

There's Lowie the laird o' Drummeller
'Gude day to ye, brute! he comes ben;
He brags an he blaws o' his siller,
But whan will he dance like Tam Glen?
My mimie 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 for sake him,
He'll gie me gude hunder marks ten;
But if it's ordain'd I maun tak him,
O wha will I get but Tam Glen?
Yestreen at the valentines' deafin',
My heart to my mon gied a sten;
For thrice I drew ane without failin',
And thrice it was written 'Tam Glen!'

The last Hallowe'en I was waukin
My drookit sark-sleeve, as ye ken,
His likeness cam up the house staukin,
An' the very grey breek o' Tam 'Glen!
Come counsel, dear Tittie; dont tarry;
I’ll gie you my bonnie black hen,
Gif ye Will advise me to marry
The lad I lo'e dearly, Tam Glen.