Cover of Tam O'Shanter

Tam O'Shanter

by Robert Burns

Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free

About the book

"Tam O'Shanter" by Robert Burns is a narrative poem written in 1790. It follows Tam, a farmer who frequents the pub despite his wife's warnings, as he rides home drunk one stormy night. Passing a haunted church, he witnesses witches and warlocks dancing with the Devil himself. When Tam foolishly shouts at an attractive witch in a short shirt, the supernatural creatures chase him through the darkness. He must reach the safety of a bridge before they catch him, as witches cannot cross running water.

  • Scottish poetry

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #25733. Tam O'Shanter on Wikipedia.

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