The Goldfinch (1817)/Tam Glen

by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

For other versions of this work, see Tam Glen.

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 dinna marry Tam Glen?

There's Lowrie, the laird o' Drumeller,
'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'll gie me gude hundred marks ten:
But if it's ordain'd I maun tak' him,
O wha will I get but Tam Glen?

Yestreen at the Valentines 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 wauken
My drowkit sark-sleeve, as ye ken:
His likeness cam' up the house stauken,
And the very grey breeks o' Tam Glen.

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

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