poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language
, although much of his writing is also in English and a "light" Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland.
Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie,O, what a panic's in thy breastie!Thou need na start awa sae hasty,Wi' bickering brattle!
I'm truly sorry man's dominionHas broken Nature's social union.
The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft a-gley; And leave us naught but grief and pain For promised joy.
Nature's law,That man was made to mourn.
Man's inhumanity to manMakes countless thousands mourn.Man was made to Mourn.
He wales a portion with judicious care;And "Let us worship God" he says, with solemn air.
From scenes like these, old Scotia's grandeur springs,That makes her loved at home, revered abroad:Princes and lords are but the breath of kings,"An honest man's the noblest work of God."
Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire,That's a' the learning I desire.
The social, friendly, honest man,Whate'er he be,'Tis he fulfills great Nature's plan,And none but he!
On ev'ry hand it will allowed be,He's just—nae better than he should be.