Ye Jacobites by Name.
[This song appears in the fourth volume of Johnson's Museum, and there is every reason to believe, that it is a production of Burns's, founded on some older Jacobitical effusion. The tune of "Ye Jacobites by name" is very beautiful, and has been adapted to several songs, but to none with more success than the one entitled "My love's in Germanie," given elsewhere.]
Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear, give an ear;
Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear;
Ye Jacobites by name,
Your fautes I will proclaim,
Your doctrines I maun blame—
You shall hear.
What is right, and what is wrang, by the law, by the law?
What is right, and what is wrang, by the law?
What is right, and what is wrang?
A short sword, and a lang,
A weak arm, and a strang
For to draw.
What makes heroic strife, fam'd afar, fam'd afar?
What makes heroic strife, fam'd afar?
What makes heroic strife?
To whet th' assassin's knife,
Or hunt a parent's life
Wi' bluidie war.
Then let your schemes alone, in the state, in the state;
Then let your schemes alone in the state;
Then let your schemes alone,
Adore the rising sun,
And leave a man undone
To his fate.