Naebody (Poem by Robert Burns)

Naebody (1)

By Robert Burns

I hae a wife o’ my ain —

    I’ll partake wi’ naebody;

I’ll tak cuckold frae nane,

    I’ll gie cuckold to naebody.

I hae a penny to spend,

    There — thanks to naebody;

I hae naething to lend,

    I’ll borrow frae naebody.

Naebody (2)

I am naebody’s lord —

    I’ll be slave to naebody;

I hae a guid braid sword,

    I’ll tak dunts frae naebody.

I’ll be merry and free,

    I’ll be sad for naebody;

Naebody cares for me,

    I’ll care for naebody.

Note:

Burns had built his house at Ellisland, sowed his first crop, the woman he loved was at his side, and hope was high; no wonder that he indulged in this independent strain.