Scots Wha Hae

Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.

“Scots Wha Hae,” by Robert Burns, from Burns: Selected Poems, 1889.

Scots, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victorie!

Now’s the day, now’s the hour;
See the front o’ battle lour!
See approach proud Edward’s power—
Chains and slaverie!

Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward’s grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!

Wha for Scotland’s king and law
Freedom’s sword will strongly draw,
Free-man stand, or free-man fa’,
Let him on wi’ me!

By oppression’s woes and pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!

Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty’s in every blow!
Let us do, or die!

Burns, Robert. “Scots Wha Hae.” In Burns: Selected Poems. Edited by J. Logie Robertson. Clarendon Press, 1889.

Robert Burns

TOTA Curated Archives

This group houses a collection of articles pulled from the public domain. They focus on primary sources showing individual viewpoints and important cultural works. Please note that some articles collected here contain outdated ideas, terms, and viewpoints. The authors here do not represent TOTA's opinions or positions but have been offered for the historic value of their observations.

View Group