History & Politics

Ye Jacobites By Name

by Robert Burns 1759–1796

From Poems and Songs, 1791

History & Politics

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, famed afar, famed afar?
What makes heroic strife famed afar?
What makes heroic strife?
To whet th’ assassin’s knife,
Or hunt a Parent’s life, wi’ bluidy 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.

MLA

Burns, Robert. “Ye Jacobites By Name.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/burns/342/.

Chicago

Burns, Robert. “Ye Jacobites By Name.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/burns/342/.

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