--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By Oppression's woes and pains! By your…" description: "\"By Oppression's woes and pains! By your sons in servile chains! We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free! Lay the proud usurpers low! Ty..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a0/robert-burns-1511_blow_by-oppression-s-woes-and-pains-by-your-s_2154969.jpg" --- # By Oppression's woes and pains! By your sons in servile… ![“By Oppression's woes and pains! By your sons in servile chains! We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free! Lay the proud usurpers low! Tyrants fall in every foe! Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die!” quote by Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a0/robert-burns-1511_blow_by-oppression-s-woes-and-pains-by-your-s_2154969.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a0/robert-burns-1511_blow_by-oppression-s-woes-and-pains-by-your-s_2154969.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a0/robert-burns-1511_blow_by-oppression-s-woes-and-pains-by-your-s_2154969.jpg) > “By Oppression's woes and pains! By your sons in servile chains! We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free! Lay the proud usurpers low! Tyrants fall in every foe! Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die!” [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A rallying cry against oppression, urging sacrifice for freedom and the overthrow of tyrants. **In simple terms:** Fight oppression, sacrifice for liberty. Key Takeaway Stand up, fight for freedom. Themes freedom resistance revolution sacrifice justice Mood defiant passionate Type political revolutionary When to use this quote - protests - revolutionary movements - civil disobedience - war - independence struggles Key Concepts political activism collective action martyrdom Questions to Reflect On - What sacrifices are you willing to make for liberty? - How can non‑violent resistance achieve similar goals? A Different Perspective Violence may cause loss of life and unintended harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blow/) [Chains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chains/) [Drain Dearest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drain-dearest-4258819/) [Drains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drains/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Foe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foe/) [Foe Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foe-liberty-4547635/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Lows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lows/) [Oppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppression/) [Oppression Woes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppression-woes-4547636/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Tyrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrants/) [Usurpers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usurpers/) [Veins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/veins/) [Woe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woe/) [Your son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-son/) ## Related quotes > [“We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/we-will-drain-our-dearest-veins-but-they-shall-be-free/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/liberty-s-in-every-blow-let-us-do-or-die/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [If all power is in the people, if there is no higher law than their will, and if by counting their votes, their will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/if-all-power-is-in-the-people-if-there-is-no-higher-law-than-their/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Whoever lays his hand on me to govern me is a usurper and tyrant, and I declare him my enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-joseph-proudhon/whoever-lays-his-hand-on-me-to-govern-me-is-a-usurper-and-tyrant-and/) [Pierre-Joseph Proudhon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-joseph-proudhon/) > [The novelist, quite rightly, fears the psychoanalyst as both an enemy and a usurper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-self/the-novelist-quite-rightly-fears-the-psychoanalyst-as-both-an-enemy/) [Will Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-self/) > [Set before us the conduct of our own British ancestors, who defended for us the inherent rights of mankind against foreign and domestic tyrants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/set-before-us-the-conduct-of-our-own-british-ancestors-who-defended/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [ What is to be the consequence, in case the Congress shall misconstrue this part \[the necessary and proper clause\] of the Constitution and exercise… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/what-is-to-be-the-consequence-in-case-the-congress-shall-misconstrue/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising the sovereignty.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/it-is-only-when-the-people-become-ignorant-and-corrupt-when-they/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) > [My plea is for banishing the English language as a cultural usurper, as we successfully banished the political rule of the English usurper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/my-plea-is-for-banishing-the-english-language-as-a-cultural-usurper/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [But the wise know that foolish legislation is a rope of sand, which perishes in the twisting; that the State must follow, and notlead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/but-the-wise-know-that-foolish-legislation-is-a-rope-of-sand-which/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [One cannot reign innocently: the insanity of doing so is evident. Every king is a rebel and a usurper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/one-cannot-reign-innocently-the-insanity-of-doing-so-is-evident-every/) [Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/) > [Usurpers always bring about or select troublous times to get passed, under cover of the public terror, destructive laws, which the people would never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/usurpers-always-bring-about-or-select-troublous-times-to-get-passed/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [If advertising has invaded the judgment of children, it has also forced its way into the family, an insolent usurper of parental function, degrading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-henry/if-advertising-has-invaded-the-judgment-of-children-it-has-also/) [Jules Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-henry/) > [Lost rights are never regained by appeals to the conscience of the usurpers, but by relentless struggle…goa ts are used for sacrificial offerings and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-r-ambedkar/lost-rights-are-never-regained-by-appeals-to-the-conscience-of-the/) [B. R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) > [We must frankly confess, then, using our empirical common sense and ordinary practical prejudices, that in the world that actually is, the virtues of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/we-must-frankly-confess-then-using-our-empirical-common-sense-and/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) ## More by Robert Burns > [Some wee short hour ayont the twal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-wee-short-hour-ayont-the-twal/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [The snowdrop and primrose our woodlands adorn, and violets bathe in the wet o' the morn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-snowdrop-and-primrose-our-woodlands-adorn-and-violets-bathe-in/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Oh my luve's like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June; Oh my luve's like the melodie That's sweetly played in tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/oh-my-luve-s-like-a-red-red-rose-that-s-newly-sprung-in-june-oh-my/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Again rejoicing Nature sees Her robe assume its vernal hues Her leafy locks wave in the breeze, All freshly steep'd in the morning dews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/again-rejoicing-nature-sees-her-robe-assume-its-vernal-hues-her-leafy/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Gin a body meet a body Coming thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body— Need a body cry?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/gin-a-body-meet-a-body-coming-thro-the-rye-gin-a-body-kiss-a-body/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [“O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/o-wad-some-power-the-giftie-gie-us-to-see-oursels-as-ithers-see-us/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/liberty-s-in-every-blow-let-us-do-or-die/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Dare to be honest and fear no labor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/dare-to-be-honest-and-fear-no-labor/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Look abroad through Nature's range, Nature's mighty law is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/look-abroad-through-nature-s-range-nature-s-mighty-law-is-change/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [ “All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn." \[ Brigs of Ayr \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/all-cheering-plenty-with-her-flowing-horn-led-yellow-autumn-wreath-d/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [To make three guineas do the work of five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/to-make-three-guineas-do-the-work-of-five/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Some books are lies frae end to end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-books-are-lies-frae-end-to-end/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Who made the heart, 'tis He alone Decidedly can try us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/who-made-the-heart-tis-he-alone-decidedly-can-try-us/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.--Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nursing-her-wrath-to-keep-it-warm-robert-burns/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [It is cruelty to be humane to rebels, and humanity is cruelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/it-is-cruelty-to-be-humane-to-rebels-and-humanity-is-cruelty/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) [Explore all 233 Robert Burns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) ## More Blow quotes > [The wind always seems to blow against catchers when they are running.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-garagiola/the-wind-always-seems-to-blow-against-catchers-when-they-are-running/) [Joe Garagiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-garagiola/) > [Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drenched our teeples, drowned the cocks! You sulphurour…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/blow-winds-and-crack-your-cheeks-rage-blow-you-cataracts-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If he wants to blow his head off, let him. I don't give a damn about Jim Bakker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-hahn/if-he-wants-to-blow-his-head-off-let-him-i-don-t-give-a-damn-about/) [Jessica Hahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-hahn/) > [If we blow ourselves up we will do it by misapplication of science; if we manage to keep from blowing ourselves up, it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/if-we-blow-ourselves-up-we-will-do-it-by-misapplication-of-science-if/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Not I, not I, but the wind that blows through me! A fine wind is blowing the new direction of Time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/not-i-not-i-but-the-wind-that-blows-through-me-a-fine-wind-is-blowing/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [Music is a wind that blows away the years, memories, and fear, that crouching animal I carry inside me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/music-is-a-wind-that-blows-away-the-years-memories-and-fear-that/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [The supposedly immaterial soul, we now know, can be bisected with a knife, altered by chemicals, started or stopped by electricity, and extinguished by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-supposedly-immaterial-soul-we-now-know-can-be-bisected-with-a/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [One of the wonderful things about Portlandia - and I'm not just blowing smoke, although I can blow smoke, but I'm not - is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/one-of-the-wonderful-things-about-portlandia-and-i-m-not-just-blowing/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [I would always find a way to blow the deal and I'm not sure why. I think there was part of me that wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-isaac/i-would-always-find-a-way-to-blow-the-deal-and-i-m-not-sure-why-i/) [Oscar Isaac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-isaac/) > [Letters crossing in the post, unfamiliar tunes heard three times in one day, the way that blows of fate descend upon the same bowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/letters-crossing-in-the-post-unfamiliar-tunes-heard-three-times-in/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [Truth is, right now two bombs could drop out of the sky and blow up this house and whatever building you're in and just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mackaye/truth-is-right-now-two-bombs-could-drop-out-of-the-sky-and-blow-up/) [Ian MacKaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mackaye/) > [The old saying is true: If you have only the Word, you dry up. If you have only the Spirit, you blow up. 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