Beginners
Experts
Burns Supper
Top Features
Discussion Forum
Newsletter
Poems & Songs
The Letters
Federation
E- Membership
Schools
Contributions
Links
Search the Site
Scottish History
The Burns Shop

Translation
Index


On The Commemoration Of Rodney's Victory

King's Arms, Dumfries, 12th April, 1793

 

Burns Original

Standard English Translation

 

Instead of a song, boys, I'll give you a toast:
Here's the Mem'ry of those on the Twelfth that we lost! -
We lost, did I say? - No, by Heav'n, that we found!
For their fame it shall live while the world goes round.
The next in succession I'll give you: the King!
And who would betray him, on high may he swing!
And here's the grand fabric, our Free Constitution
As built on the base of the great Revolution!
And, longer with Politics not to be cramm'd,
Be Anarchy curs'd, and be Tyranny damn'd!
And who would to Liberty e'er prove disloyal,
May his son be a hangman - and he his first trial!

 

Instead of a song, boys, I will give you a toast:
Here is the Memory of those on the Twelfth that we lost! -
We lost, did I say? - No, by Heaven, that we found!
For their fame it shall live while the world goes round.
The next in succession I will give you: the King!
And who would betray him, on high may he swing!
And here's the grand fabric, our Free Constitution
As built on the base of the great Revolution!
And, longer with Politics not to be crammed,
Be Anarchy cursed, and be Tyranny damned!
And who would to Liberty ever prove disloyal,
May his son be a hangman - and he his first trial!

 

© 2004 WBC. Under no circumstances can any  of the contents of this site be copied, reproduced,  or represented without prior written consent.