The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (84 page)
Read The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Online
Authors: Elizabeth Knowles
1908–64
Every time it rains, it rains
Pennies from heaven.
Don't you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven?
"Pennies from Heaven" (1936 song)
Like Webster's Dictionary, we're Morocco bound.
The Road to Morocco
(1942 film) title song
1752–1840
A little alarm now and then keeps life from stagnation.
Camilla
(1796) bk. 3, ch. 11
"The whole of this unfortunate business," said Dr Lyster, "has been the result of
pride and prejudice
."
Cecilia
(1782) bk. 10, ch. 10
O! how short a time does it take to put an end to a woman's liberty!
of a wedding
diary, 20 July 1768
1858–1943
The Thames is liquid history.
to an American who had compared the Thames disparagingly with the Mississippi
in
Daily Mail
25 January 1943
1759–96
Address to the unco guid.
title of poem, 1787
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, and then for ever!
"Ae fond Kiss" (1792)
Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes,
Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise.
"Afton Water" (1792)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
"Auld Lang Syne" (1796)
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
"Auld Lang Syne" (1796)
Ye banks and braes o' bonny Doon,
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair;
How can ye chant, ye little birds,
And I sae weary fu' o' care!
"The Banks o' Doon" (1792)
O saw ye bonnie Lesley,
As she gaed o'er the border?
She's gane, like Alexander,
To spread her conquests farther.
To see her is to love her,
And love but her for ever.
"Bonnie Lesley" (1798)
Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro' the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body
Need a body cry?
"Comin thro' the rye" (1796)
I wasna fou, but just had plenty.
"Death and Dr Hornbook" (1787) st. 3
A man's a man for a' that.
"For a' that and a' that" (1790)
Green grow the rashes, O,
Green grow the rashes, O;
The sweetest hours that e'er I spend,
Are spent among the lasses, O.
"Green Grow the Rashes" (1787)
There's death in the cup—so beware!
"Inscription on a Goblet" (published 1834)
Corn rigs, an' barley rigs,
An' corn rigs are bonnie.
"It was upon a Lammas Night" (1796)
John Anderson my jo, John,
When we were first acquent,
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonny brow was brent.
"John Anderson my Jo" (1790)
Some have meat and cannot eat,
Some cannot eat that want it:
But we have meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
"The Kirkudbright Grace" (1790), also known as "The Selkirk Grace"
Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!
"Man was made to Mourn" (1786) st. 7
Go fetch to me a pint o' wine,
An' fill it in a silver tassie.
"My Bonnie Mary" (1790)
My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
Chasing the wild deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go.
"My Heart's in the Highlands" (1790)
My love she's but a lassie yet.
title of poem, 1787
O whistle, an' I'll come to you, my lad.
title of poem (1788).
O, my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
"A Red Red Rose" (1796), derived from various folk-songs
Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,—
Or to victorie.
"Robert Bruce's March to Bannockburn" (1799), also known as "Scots, Wha Hae"
Liberty's in every blow!
Let us do—or die!!!
"Robert Bruce's March to Bannockburn" (1799)
Nae man can tether time or tide.
"Tam o' Shanter" (1791) l. 67
Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn,
What dangers thou canst make us scorn!
Wi' tippenny, we fear nae evil;
Wi' usquebae, we'll face the devil!
"Tam o' Shanter" (1791) l. 105
The mirth and fun grew fast and furious.
"Tam o' Shanter" (1791) l. 144
Tam tint his reason a' thegither,
And roars out—"Weel done, Cutty-sark!"
"Tam o' Shanter" (1791) l. 185
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.
"To a Haggis" (1787)
O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!
It wad frae mony a blunder free us,
And foolish notion.
"To a Louse" (1786)
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 wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murd'ring pattle!
"To a Mouse" (1786)
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft a-gley.
"To a Mouse" (1786)
Don't let the awkward squad fire over me.
said shortly before his death
A. Cunningham
The Works of Robert Burns; with his Life
vol. 1 (1834)