Impromptu on Dumourier’s Desertion of the French Republican Army

Portrait of Robert Burns
Robert Burns 1759–1796
414Poems and Songs. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

YOU’RE welcome to Despots, Dumourier; You’re welcome to Despots, Dumourier: How does Dampiere do? Ay, and Bournonville too? Why did they not come along with you, Dumourier?

I will fight France with you, Dumourier; I will fight France with you, Dumourier; I will fight France with you, I will take my chance with you; By my soul, I’ll dance with you, Dumourier.

Then let us fight about, Dumourier; Then let us fight about, Dumourier; Then let us fight about, Till Freedom’s spark be out, Then we’ll be d—d, no doubt, Dumourier.

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