O Kenmure's on and Awa, Willie (Poem by Robert Burns)

O Kenmure's on and Awa, Willie

By Robert Burns

(1)

O Kenmure’s on and awa, Willie!

    O Kenmure’s on and awa!

And Kenmure’s lord’s the bravest lord,

    That ever Galloway saw.

(2)

Success to Kenmure’s band, Willie!

    Success to Kenmure’s band;

There’s no a heart that fears a Whig,

    That rides by Kenmure’s hand.

(3)

Here’s Kenmure’s health in wine, Willie!

    Here’s Kenmure’s health in wine;

There ne’er was a coward o’ Kenmure’s blude,

    Nor yet o’ Gordon’s line.

(4)

O Kenmure’s lads are men, Willie!

    O Kenmure’s lads are men;

Their hearts and swords are metal true —

    And that their faes shall ken.

(5)

They’ll live or die wi’ fame, Willie!

    They’ll live or die wi’ fame;

But soon wi’ sounding victorie,

    May Kenmure’s lord come hame.

(6)

Here’s him that’s far awa, Willie,

    Here’s him that’s far awa;

And here’s the flower that I love best —

    The rose that’s like the snaw!

Note:

The second and third, and concluding verses of this Jacobite strain, were written by Burns: the whole was sent in his own handwriting to the Museum.