Tam Glen

1.
My heart is a-breaking, dear tittie,
Some counsel unto me come len',
To anger them a' is a pity,
But what will I do wi' Tam Glen?
2.
I'm thinking, wi' sic a braw fellow
In poortith I might mak a fen'.
What care I in riches to wallow,
If I mauna marry Tam Glen?
3.
There's Lowrie the laird o' Dumeller:
'Guid day to you,' brute! he comes ben.
He brags and he blaws o' his siller,
But when will he dance like Tam Glen?
4.
My minnie does constantly deave me,
And bids me beware o' young men.
They flatter, she says, to deceive me -
But wha can think sae o' Tam Glen?
5.
My daddie says, gin I'll forsake him,
He'd gie me guid hunder marks ten.
But if it's ordain'd I maun take him,
O, wha will I get but Tam Glen?
6.
Yestreen at the valentines' dealing,
My heart to my mou gied a sten,
For thrice I drew ane without failing,
And thrice it was written 'Tam Glen'!
7.
The last Halloween I was waukin
My droukit sark-sleeve, as ye ken -
His likeness came up the house staukin,
And the very grey breeks o' Tam Glen!
8.
Come, counsel, dear tittie, don't tarry!
I'll gie ye my bonie black hen,
Gif ye will advise me to marry
The lad I lo'e dearly, Tam Glen.

My heart is a-breaking, dear sister,
Some counsel unto me come lend,
To anger them all is a pity,
But what will I do with Tam Glen?

I am thinking, with such a fine fellow
In poverty I might make a shift.
What care I in riches to wallow,
If I must not marry Tam Glen?

There is Lowrie the laird of Dumeller:
'Good day to you,' brute! he comes in.
He brags and he boasts of his silver (money),
But when will he dance like Tam Glen?

My mother does constantly deafen me,
And bids me beware of young men.
They flatter, she says, to deceive me -
But who can think so of Tam Glen?

My daddy says, if I will forsake him,
He would give me good hundred marks ten.
But if it is ordained I must take him,
O, who will I get but Tam Glen?

Last night at the valentines' dealing,
My heart to my mouth gave a spring,
For three times I drew one without failing,
And three times it was written 'Tam Glen'!

The last Halloween I was awaking
My wetted shirt-sleeve, as you know -
His likeness came up the house stalking,
And the very grey trousers of Tam Glen!

Come, counsel, dear sister, do not tarry!
I will give you my lovely black hen,
If you will advise me to marry
The lad I love dearly, Tam Glen.

Translation Index	Tam Glen
Burns Original		Standard English Translation
1. My heart is a-breaking, dear tittie, Some counsel unto me come len', To anger them a' is a pity, But what will I do wi' Tam Glen? 2. I'm thinking, wi' sic a braw fellow In poortith I might mak a fen'. What care I in riches to wallow, If I mauna marry Tam Glen? 3. There's Lowrie the laird o' Dumeller: 'Guid day to you,' brute! he comes ben. He brags and he blaws o' his siller, But when will he dance like Tam Glen? 4. My minnie does constantly deave me, And bids me beware o' young men. They flatter, she says, to deceive me - But wha can think sae o' Tam Glen? 5. My daddie says, gin I'll forsake him, He'd gie me guid hunder marks ten. But if it's ordain'd I maun take him, O, wha will I get but Tam Glen? 6. Yestreen at the valentines' dealing, My heart to my mou gied a sten, For thrice I drew ane without failing, And thrice it was written 'Tam Glen'! 7. The last Halloween I was waukin My droukit sark-sleeve, as ye ken - His likeness came up the house staukin, And the very grey breeks o' Tam Glen! 8. Come, counsel, dear tittie, don't tarry! I'll gie ye my bonie black hen, Gif ye will advise me to marry The lad I lo'e dearly, Tam Glen.		My heart is a-breaking, dear sister, Some counsel unto me come lend, To anger them all is a pity, But what will I do with Tam Glen? I am thinking, with such a fine fellow In poverty I might make a shift. What care I in riches to wallow, If I must not marry Tam Glen? There is Lowrie the laird of Dumeller: 'Good day to you,' brute! he comes in. He brags and he boasts of his silver (money), But when will he dance like Tam Glen? My mother does constantly deafen me, And bids me beware of young men. They flatter, she says, to deceive me - But who can think so of Tam Glen? My daddy says, if I will forsake him, He would give me good hundred marks ten. But if it is ordained I must take him, O, who will I get but Tam Glen? Last night at the valentines' dealing, My heart to my mouth gave a spring, For three times I drew one without failing, And three times it was written 'Tam Glen'! The last Halloween I was awaking My wetted shirt-sleeve, as you know - His likeness came up the house stalking, And the very grey trousers of Tam Glen! Come, counsel, dear sister, do not tarry! I will give you my lovely black hen, If you will advise me to marry The lad I love dearly, Tam Glen.
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