Red Robin Poem by Robert Anderson

Come into my cabin, Red Robin;
Thrice welcome, blithe warbler to me;
Now Skiddaw has thrown a white cap on,
Again I'll gie shelter to thee:
Come, freely hop into my pantry;
Partake o' my plain wholesome fare;
Tho' seldom I boast of a dainty,
Yet mine man or bird shall ay share.

Now five years are by--gane, Red Robin,
Sin' first thou cam tremblin' to me;
Alas! how I'm chang'd, little Robin,
Sin' first I bade welcome to thee!
I then had a bonny wee lassie;
Awa' wi' anither she's gane:
Then friens daily ca'd at my cabin,
Now, dowie I seegh aw my lane.

Wi' pleasure I view thee, Red Robin,
Yet gaze wi' a pitying ee;
Thy luik seems to say, like o'er monie,
O' hunger puir Robin maun die!
To think o' thy fate, houseless namesake,
Just brings to mind what I maun bear;
I meet wi' fause friens in ilk corner,
And bow to the warl in despair.

Tho' sweet are thy wild notes, Red Robin,
They draw monie a tear frae my ee;
They ca' to my mind youthfu' pleasures,
When Mary sang sweetly to me:
But pleasure aft gies way to sorrow,
And pleasure leads millions to pain;
Frae hope nae delights can I borrow,
Life's comforts I wish for in vain.

O where is thy sweetheart, Red Robin,
Gae bring her frae house--tap or tree;
I'll bid her be true to sweet Robin,
For fause was a lassie to me:
You'll share ev'ry crumb i' my cabin;
We'll sing the wild winter away;
I winna deceive ye, puir birdies,
Let mortals use me as they may!