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ARS POETICA
Poems and Songs
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This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
92 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1906
331 people are currently reading
2,302 people want to read
About the author
Robert Burns
2,010books339followersRobert Burns (also known as Robin) was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language. He also wrote in English and a "light" Scots, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. A cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world, celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.
As well as making original compositions, Burns collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His Auld Lang Syne is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and Scots Wha Hae has served as an unofficial national anthem. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well-known across the world today, include A Red, Red Rose, A Man's A Man for A' That, To a Louse, To a Mouse, The Battle of Sherramuir, Tam o' Shanter and Ae Fond Kiss.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. A cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world, celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.
As well as making original compositions, Burns collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His Auld Lang Syne is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and Scots Wha Hae has served as an unofficial national anthem. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well-known across the world today, include A Red, Red Rose, A Man's A Man for A' That, To a Louse, To a Mouse, The Battle of Sherramuir, Tam o' Shanter and Ae Fond Kiss.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
March 20, 2023
When I was a kid my mom used to drop me off at this small barber shop run by two brothers. They had become quite popular so the wait time was a bit long, but she’d send me in and head around the block to what at the time was a locally owned small grocery store to use the wait time productively. Thinking back, this set-up was very much the dying era of my parent’s childhood still holding on. Though in the same shopping square as this grocery was a independent video rental, a Tubby subs and a vacuum repair/sports card shop, so without knowing it was also representative of my own generations dying era. The sort you can look back on with golden age nostalgia to think of as somehow “more innocent or pure� as I quickly watched the internet era rewrite society in many ways.
Anyways, as I’d sit and wait there was this giant poster of a Robert Burns quote, I’ve forgotten which by now. Being in middle school, I didn’t quite know who that was but assumed it was the boss from The Simpsons. You know, the greedy and cantankerous Mr Burns. So to this day whenever I come across anything from Robert Burns, I hear it in the voice of Mr. Burns. And I gotta say, I don’t hate it.
Anyways, as I’d sit and wait there was this giant poster of a Robert Burns quote, I’ve forgotten which by now. Being in middle school, I didn’t quite know who that was but assumed it was the boss from The Simpsons. You know, the greedy and cantankerous Mr Burns. So to this day whenever I come across anything from Robert Burns, I hear it in the voice of Mr. Burns. And I gotta say, I don’t hate it.
January 25, 2023
Как да не обича човек поезията на Бърнс� Неговите лирични творби успяват да ме развълнуват все така силно при всеки следващ прочит! Шотландците са напълно прави да се гордеят най-много с този невероятен поет!
„Висок� чукари и сиви скали,
където нощуват сребристи мъгли,
където пред стадото свири овчар
и с малките скита в тревите глухар!
По-мил ми е тоя планински шубрак
от равните ниви край морския бряг,
защото край бистрия ручей сега
е Джейн � мойта радост и мойта тъга.
И моите мисли ме връщат назад,
там, дето в скалите кипи водопад,
където потоците пеят на глас
и времето бърза несетно край нас.
Не е тя красива, но с мило лице!
Не е тя с обноски, но с нежно сърце
И аз я залюбих от първия ден.
затуй че и Джени се влюби във мен.
На чар, на обноски кой би устоял?
На поглед, засенчен от лека печал?
Когато прибавиш и ум към това,
бездруго младежите губят глава.
Но светлият, прелестен поглед смутен,
но поривът искрен по-скъп е за мен!
Обичам прегръдки на силни ръце
и биещо бурно, открито сърце!�
„Доволе� съм с малко и с малко богат,
и грижи смутят ли покоя ми, брат,
със чашка и с песен � за първи ли път? �
ги пращам, по дявола нека вървят!
Понякога стискам от мъка пестник,
но бой е живота, а ти си войник!
Безгрижният нрав е богатство за мен:
пред никой не скланям глава унизен.
Гнетят ме нещастия, скърби и страх!
Но вечер с другари � лекувам и тях!
Когато сме стигнали читави, брат,
защо да си спомняме злото назад?
Съдбата ми � кранта, се спъва навред.
Към зло, към добро ли, да кара напред!
Аз своята участ, добра или зла,
ще срещна усмихнат с „добре си дошла�.
превод: Владимир Свинтила
„Висок� чукари и сиви скали,
където нощуват сребристи мъгли,
където пред стадото свири овчар
и с малките скита в тревите глухар!
По-мил ми е тоя планински шубрак
от равните ниви край морския бряг,
защото край бистрия ручей сега
е Джейн � мойта радост и мойта тъга.
И моите мисли ме връщат назад,
там, дето в скалите кипи водопад,
където потоците пеят на глас
и времето бърза несетно край нас.
Не е тя красива, но с мило лице!
Не е тя с обноски, но с нежно сърце
И аз я залюбих от първия ден.
затуй че и Джени се влюби във мен.
На чар, на обноски кой би устоял?
На поглед, засенчен от лека печал?
Когато прибавиш и ум към това,
бездруго младежите губят глава.
Но светлият, прелестен поглед смутен,
но поривът искрен по-скъп е за мен!
Обичам прегръдки на силни ръце
и биещо бурно, открито сърце!�
„Доволе� съм с малко и с малко богат,
и грижи смутят ли покоя ми, брат,
със чашка и с песен � за първи ли път? �
ги пращам, по дявола нека вървят!
Понякога стискам от мъка пестник,
но бой е живота, а ти си войник!
Безгрижният нрав е богатство за мен:
пред никой не скланям глава унизен.
Гнетят ме нещастия, скърби и страх!
Но вечер с другари � лекувам и тях!
Когато сме стигнали читави, брат,
защо да си спомняме злото назад?
Съдбата ми � кранта, се спъва навред.
Към зло, към добро ли, да кара напред!
Аз своята участ, добра или зла,
ще срещна усмихнат с „добре си дошла�.
превод: Владимир Свинтила
May 15, 2007
My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,
A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe--
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go!
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birthplace of valour, the country of worth!
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
Farewell to the mountains high cover'd with snow,
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below,
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods!
My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,
A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe--
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go!
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,
A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe--
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go!
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birthplace of valour, the country of worth!
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
Farewell to the mountains high cover'd with snow,
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below,
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods!
My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,
A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe--
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go!
November 9, 2020
Burns is a delightful poet! Some of my favorites were To a Mountain Daisy, Sonnet on Hearing a Thrush Sing in a Morning Walk, Contented Wi' Little, O Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast, The Cotter's Saturday Night, The Vision, Bannockburn, Song of Death, Strathallan's Lament, and Caledonia.
Read
July 20, 2024DASHURIA DHE VARFËRIA
Më ndoqi dashuria bashkë
Me varfërinë e shkretë;
Në shteg të tyre herët rashë,
Më zunë shpejt në rrjetë.
Po varfërinë e zboj, e tremb
Dhe s'ka më varfëri,
Veç dashurinë dot s'e shemb,
Se mbetet dashuri!
Pse dashurisë si pengesë
I del përpara ndarja?
Dhe pse të mbetet robëreshë
Nga cmira dhe nga parja?
Dhe pasuria dhe hambari
Pak lumturi na japin,
Por frikacaku dhe truthari
Pushtetin shpejt e kapin!
Më flet me sy për dashurinë,
Kur humb mes përqafimit,
Ndërsa me buzët ftohtësinë
Ma shfaq përmes gjykimit.
Më këshillon të jem i matur,
Të kem dhe pak durim,
Siç duket, pret një oxhak të pasur
Dhe s'pret oxhakun tim!
Po si ta mbaj gjakftohtësinë,
Kur jemi pranë e pranë,
Kur dy vështrime dashurinë
Burim të vetëm kanë?
Veç fukarai ka lumturi
Me vashëzën e dashur,
Ai s'ka smirë e s'ka zili
Për derë e rang të pasur.
Ah, dashurinë ç'e pengon
Ky fati i lig tiran!
Dhe gonxhe e saj pse s'lulëzon
Pa pasuri dhe nam?
Më ndoqi dashuria bashkë
Me varfërinë e shkretë;
Në shteg të tyre herët rashë,
Më zunë shpejt në rrjetë.
Po varfërinë e zboj, e tremb
Dhe s'ka më varfëri,
Veç dashurinë dot s'e shemb,
Se mbetet dashuri!
Pse dashurisë si pengesë
I del përpara ndarja?
Dhe pse të mbetet robëreshë
Nga cmira dhe nga parja?
Dhe pasuria dhe hambari
Pak lumturi na japin,
Por frikacaku dhe truthari
Pushtetin shpejt e kapin!
Më flet me sy për dashurinë,
Kur humb mes përqafimit,
Ndërsa me buzët ftohtësinë
Ma shfaq përmes gjykimit.
Më këshillon të jem i matur,
Të kem dhe pak durim,
Siç duket, pret një oxhak të pasur
Dhe s'pret oxhakun tim!
Po si ta mbaj gjakftohtësinë,
Kur jemi pranë e pranë,
Kur dy vështrime dashurinë
Burim të vetëm kanë?
Veç fukarai ka lumturi
Me vashëzën e dashur,
Ai s'ka smirë e s'ka zili
Për derë e rang të pasur.
Ah, dashurinë ç'e pengon
Ky fati i lig tiran!
Dhe gonxhe e saj pse s'lulëzon
Pa pasuri dhe nam?
December 31, 2020
Singing “Auld Lang Syne� at the stroke of midnight is one of those few New Year’s traditions that the English-speaking world holds dear. I doubt if anyone could really tell why he holds it so dear, but whatever the reason be, it’s not important. What’s important is that you fill your glass, put your arm around your pal, and you sing it loud. With a tear in your eye if you can muster it.
Reputation � 4/5
Robert Burns is the National poet of Scotland. During his brief life he collected hundreds of traditional songs and poems in the Scottish language, and wrote hundreds more originals in both Scottish and English. Through these efforts, Burns effectively founded Scottish literature. In his candid, unpretentious lyrics and his own untamed life he exemplified the way the Scots think of themselves. Rugged and rebellious, honest and honorable, mischievous and merry � Burns� verse is a� that an' a� that.
Point � 3/5
As a songwriter, Burns doesn’t have an equal in the history of English. The closest songwriters of National significance that one can compare to Burns are Americans like Irving Berlin and Bob Dylan. Men who don’t fit into the canon of high literature, but whose songs everybody knows. Certainly, many more Americans can sing along to “Tangled up in Blue� than can recite Shakespeare or Pope, and the same can be said for any Scot about “A Red, Red Rose� or “Green Grow the Rashes, O.� In this sense, Burns represents something true about the National character of Scotland, and there are many fine renditions of his songs and poems performed in the Scottish dialect that make you want to grab a glass of whiskey and put one back for old Rabbie Burns. As a national figure, Burns is a gem. He’s a unique hero of a culture and as good an approximation of a nation in one man that you can get.
But there is another side of Burns� legacy � that of “proto-Romantic�
In English poetry textbooks, Robert Burns is usually cited as the first pioneer to break away from the refined, stilted verse of 18th Century English poetry and introduce a new energy into the literature. There is something very dishonest about this.
Rather, Burns seems to me to be the first example in English literature of a refined and bored elite looking for some spark of inspiration outside its class. This is very familiar to us now, and we consider it rather a cultural than a class issue. We call it “cultural appropriation� and it is a very dangerous topic.
The idea is basically that civilized people (educated Western elites) have set their house too neatly in order and they're beginning to get bored in it. So they invite over some less civilized person to come over and knock things up a bit � to give them a bit of excitement. At the end of the party the say “right, old chap, thanks for a wild evening,� show the visitor the door, and say to themselves “well, that was quite a bit of fun, but tomorrow it’s back to normal,� thinking what fine people they are for including the less fortunate in their club for a while.
In Burns case, English critics brought up on the refinement of Pope and Dryden were tired of the airs and formalities. The just wanted some excitement. So, they invited this vulgar Scot to their party to drink and curse and spill some hors d’oeuvres. And somehow, Burns has lasted until our day at the same party. He is still listed with Milton, Dryden, and Wordsworth, despite the fact that most of what he wrote were popular songs, not even in English! In short, it’s a party Burns never should have been at in the first place.
Consequently, I find it very difficult to rate Burns.
Taken out of context and compared to the finest poets in the English tradition, Burns doesn’t measure up. He is simple, trivial, and provincial. He doesn’t even seem to be taking himself seriously, just writing for his own fun.
But taken on his own terms, as a songwriter and a Scottish poet, he’s the first rank. He IS the canon of Scottish Literature.
Recommendation � 3/5
If you’ve got any especial interest in Scotland, then you’ve got to read Burns. This book is a fine selection of his most famous poems and songs, with a glossary of Scottish words and their English equivalents in the back.
Though I would recommend not merely reading the poems and songs alone, but listening to them performed. Naxos has released a fine audiobook of Scottish actors reading Burns� poetry. And as for his songs, I highly recommend Ewan MacColl’s 1959 recordings. They’re straightforward, with minimal accompaniment. That seems the way they ought to be sung.
Enjoyment � 4/5
I think you’ve got to LISTEN to Burns. Words on a page that seem almost illiterate come alive when they’re performed. I wasn’t enjoying reading these poems until I started listening to them read by Scottish actors, and I was getting nothing out of the songs until I heard them sung with their traditional tunes. They’re full of frankness and heart. And I suppose that’s what it is about “Auld Lang Syne� that brings down the house each New Year. It’s a song of remembrance, fellowship, and new beginnings. That’s what we’re all gathered here for, so let’s hear it for one more round, lads:
”Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never, brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I ’ll be mine,
And we’ll tak a cup o� kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wander’d monie a weary fit
Sin� auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin� auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie ’s a hand o� thine,
And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne!
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We ’ll tak a cup o� kindness yet
For auld lang syne!�
Reputation � 4/5
Robert Burns is the National poet of Scotland. During his brief life he collected hundreds of traditional songs and poems in the Scottish language, and wrote hundreds more originals in both Scottish and English. Through these efforts, Burns effectively founded Scottish literature. In his candid, unpretentious lyrics and his own untamed life he exemplified the way the Scots think of themselves. Rugged and rebellious, honest and honorable, mischievous and merry � Burns� verse is a� that an' a� that.
Point � 3/5
As a songwriter, Burns doesn’t have an equal in the history of English. The closest songwriters of National significance that one can compare to Burns are Americans like Irving Berlin and Bob Dylan. Men who don’t fit into the canon of high literature, but whose songs everybody knows. Certainly, many more Americans can sing along to “Tangled up in Blue� than can recite Shakespeare or Pope, and the same can be said for any Scot about “A Red, Red Rose� or “Green Grow the Rashes, O.� In this sense, Burns represents something true about the National character of Scotland, and there are many fine renditions of his songs and poems performed in the Scottish dialect that make you want to grab a glass of whiskey and put one back for old Rabbie Burns. As a national figure, Burns is a gem. He’s a unique hero of a culture and as good an approximation of a nation in one man that you can get.
But there is another side of Burns� legacy � that of “proto-Romantic�
In English poetry textbooks, Robert Burns is usually cited as the first pioneer to break away from the refined, stilted verse of 18th Century English poetry and introduce a new energy into the literature. There is something very dishonest about this.
Rather, Burns seems to me to be the first example in English literature of a refined and bored elite looking for some spark of inspiration outside its class. This is very familiar to us now, and we consider it rather a cultural than a class issue. We call it “cultural appropriation� and it is a very dangerous topic.
The idea is basically that civilized people (educated Western elites) have set their house too neatly in order and they're beginning to get bored in it. So they invite over some less civilized person to come over and knock things up a bit � to give them a bit of excitement. At the end of the party the say “right, old chap, thanks for a wild evening,� show the visitor the door, and say to themselves “well, that was quite a bit of fun, but tomorrow it’s back to normal,� thinking what fine people they are for including the less fortunate in their club for a while.
In Burns case, English critics brought up on the refinement of Pope and Dryden were tired of the airs and formalities. The just wanted some excitement. So, they invited this vulgar Scot to their party to drink and curse and spill some hors d’oeuvres. And somehow, Burns has lasted until our day at the same party. He is still listed with Milton, Dryden, and Wordsworth, despite the fact that most of what he wrote were popular songs, not even in English! In short, it’s a party Burns never should have been at in the first place.
Consequently, I find it very difficult to rate Burns.
Taken out of context and compared to the finest poets in the English tradition, Burns doesn’t measure up. He is simple, trivial, and provincial. He doesn’t even seem to be taking himself seriously, just writing for his own fun.
But taken on his own terms, as a songwriter and a Scottish poet, he’s the first rank. He IS the canon of Scottish Literature.
Recommendation � 3/5
If you’ve got any especial interest in Scotland, then you’ve got to read Burns. This book is a fine selection of his most famous poems and songs, with a glossary of Scottish words and their English equivalents in the back.
Though I would recommend not merely reading the poems and songs alone, but listening to them performed. Naxos has released a fine audiobook of Scottish actors reading Burns� poetry. And as for his songs, I highly recommend Ewan MacColl’s 1959 recordings. They’re straightforward, with minimal accompaniment. That seems the way they ought to be sung.
Enjoyment � 4/5
I think you’ve got to LISTEN to Burns. Words on a page that seem almost illiterate come alive when they’re performed. I wasn’t enjoying reading these poems until I started listening to them read by Scottish actors, and I was getting nothing out of the songs until I heard them sung with their traditional tunes. They’re full of frankness and heart. And I suppose that’s what it is about “Auld Lang Syne� that brings down the house each New Year. It’s a song of remembrance, fellowship, and new beginnings. That’s what we’re all gathered here for, so let’s hear it for one more round, lads:
”Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never, brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I ’ll be mine,
And we’ll tak a cup o� kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wander’d monie a weary fit
Sin� auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin� auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie ’s a hand o� thine,
And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne!
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We ’ll tak a cup o� kindness yet
For auld lang syne!�
January 18, 2025
გიორგი გოკიელმა ჩინებულა� თარგმნ�, გუდრიდსზ� არ დევს სამწუხაროდ
November 6, 2018
<3
Със тебе пихме от дъха
на тия равнини.
И с тебе двама към върха
вървяхме дълги дни.
Преминахме ний длан във длан
реки и планини.
И раздели ни океан
след тия златни дни.
Със тебе пихме от дъха
на тия равнини.
И с тебе двама към върха
вървяхме дълги дни.
Преминахме ний длан във длан
реки и планини.
И раздели ни океан
след тия златни дни.
February 7, 2019
What a gift Burns had for rhyme and meter. He makes it look so easy and spontaneous. The book has lots of social commentary with poems written as open letters to his contemporaries and epitaphs for the deceased. He eulogized the living and the dead in verse. He commented on current political and religious debates in verse. This was in additional to the usual topics of life, death, and romance chronicled by all poets. There is also much in praise of the delights of love, flesh, drink, and the working class. He was a rural farmer who never forgot his roots, or, more accurately his plow and barn dances, and especially what you might do when the dancing was over.
This edition contains the nearly complete lyrical works of Scotland’s most famous poet. A few recently discovered verses and some of the more raunchy erotic lyrics, such as “Brose and Butter� are missing, but the volume is still a poetic banquet with a glossary of Scots words, and indexes by first line and title.
This edition contains the nearly complete lyrical works of Scotland’s most famous poet. A few recently discovered verses and some of the more raunchy erotic lyrics, such as “Brose and Butter� are missing, but the volume is still a poetic banquet with a glossary of Scots words, and indexes by first line and title.
April 6, 2024
There were a few familiar ones in this collection - who knew he wrote auld lang syne? But overall this was very tough to connect with. Very often I struggled to know what many of the words were (hyphenated words, outdated, 'slang', etc). The glossary was several pages long, but it didn't help with a lot of what I needed it to.
January 29, 2024
2024:
2,5 Stars
Note that this is not a rating on the quality of his writing. I absolutely loved his poem «To a Mouse», but a lof of this collection are songs that are brighter in tone than I prefer.
2,5 Stars
Note that this is not a rating on the quality of his writing. I absolutely loved his poem «To a Mouse», but a lof of this collection are songs that are brighter in tone than I prefer.
April 27, 2024
I crave haggis. Surprised by how much I enjoyed this. What seemed in my uncontemplative youth like silly poems loaded with silly words now resonate very strongly with me. His poetry contains incredible expressions of joy, melancholy nostalgia or loss, and many other emotions, and the sometimes silly colloquial language is a sugar coating.
PS: The unforgettable1973 film Wicker Man has a great folky version of Burns� song “Corn Rigs and Barley Rigs�
PS: The unforgettable1973 film Wicker Man has a great folky version of Burns� song “Corn Rigs and Barley Rigs�
January 28, 2023
Another audio recording to accompany cooking the Burns Night meal. The songs should be heard, rather than read. And like Joyce, hearing Burns read aloud is better than reading it silently on the page.
April 25, 2025
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.
Bobby Burns is a Scottish national hero, albeit an unlikely one. This book’s preface describes him as, “a man of extremely passionate nature and fond of conviviality; and the misfortunes of his lot combined with his natural tendencies to drive him to frequent excesses of self-indulgence…the story of his life must be admitted to be in its externals a painful and somewhat sordid chronicle.� (This a roundabout and flowery way of calling him an unfortunate lush.)
But what Burns did for his country’s culture was monumental. The Reformation manifest in particularly dire and dour ways in Scotland, one of which was a nasty suppression of its secular music. In the centuries that followed the Scottish Reformation, harsh Calvinism all but obliterated Scotland’s musical tradition. And what Robert Burns accomplished as his life’s work was to almost single-handedly revive that rich tradition. He sought out the old, neglected songs and ballads, largely reworking and rewriting them, shaping them with his own unique genius, assigning each to a traditional tune, and, subverting the strict Calvinist Kirk, left a rich musical heritage for his countrymen and the world. And he did this as a labor of love, refusing to profit from his work, despite the harsh circumstances fate had given him.
Though this book contains some significant poems, its greatest value, in my eyes, is in its many songs. Of course, nearly all English speakers are familiar with Auld Lang Syne, though some few may not know that it is Burns� work. John Anderson, My Joe is a hauntingly beautiful song of aging love. McPherson’s Farewell, Ye Jacobites By Name, Charlie, He’s My Darling, Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation, The Baes of Killiecrankie � all these are songs which weave Scottish history (some still recent in Burns� time) into a rich, musical heritage. Add to these To the Weavers Gin Ye Go, A Man’s a Man For A� That, and so many more, and you have an unprecedented musical heritage resting of the shoulders of a solitary man.
Though I was unable to find an audiobook for this volume, I found to my delight that each title that I searched for on YouTube was there, usually several different version of it, and I was able to listen and appreciate each of these songs and poems as I read them, which added great value to the experience.
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands forever I'll love.
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.
Bobby Burns is a Scottish national hero, albeit an unlikely one. This book’s preface describes him as, “a man of extremely passionate nature and fond of conviviality; and the misfortunes of his lot combined with his natural tendencies to drive him to frequent excesses of self-indulgence…the story of his life must be admitted to be in its externals a painful and somewhat sordid chronicle.� (This a roundabout and flowery way of calling him an unfortunate lush.)
But what Burns did for his country’s culture was monumental. The Reformation manifest in particularly dire and dour ways in Scotland, one of which was a nasty suppression of its secular music. In the centuries that followed the Scottish Reformation, harsh Calvinism all but obliterated Scotland’s musical tradition. And what Robert Burns accomplished as his life’s work was to almost single-handedly revive that rich tradition. He sought out the old, neglected songs and ballads, largely reworking and rewriting them, shaping them with his own unique genius, assigning each to a traditional tune, and, subverting the strict Calvinist Kirk, left a rich musical heritage for his countrymen and the world. And he did this as a labor of love, refusing to profit from his work, despite the harsh circumstances fate had given him.
Though this book contains some significant poems, its greatest value, in my eyes, is in its many songs. Of course, nearly all English speakers are familiar with Auld Lang Syne, though some few may not know that it is Burns� work. John Anderson, My Joe is a hauntingly beautiful song of aging love. McPherson’s Farewell, Ye Jacobites By Name, Charlie, He’s My Darling, Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation, The Baes of Killiecrankie � all these are songs which weave Scottish history (some still recent in Burns� time) into a rich, musical heritage. Add to these To the Weavers Gin Ye Go, A Man’s a Man For A� That, and so many more, and you have an unprecedented musical heritage resting of the shoulders of a solitary man.
Though I was unable to find an audiobook for this volume, I found to my delight that each title that I searched for on YouTube was there, usually several different version of it, and I was able to listen and appreciate each of these songs and poems as I read them, which added great value to the experience.
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands forever I'll love.
May 8, 2021
This is by far the best Burns to have, for 2 incontestable reasons.
1) It always has notes on the page explaining Scots-English words
2) it is complete (to the extent of even including all the Burns apocrypha) which means all the bawdy poems are there
Beyond this, it has copious commentary on each poem, explaining context, history &c. There is no other Burns volume that approaches this one for comprehensiveness and convenience of reading.
As for Burns' merits, I consider him one of the great English language poets of the 19th century, and the only one of that period who ranks with Blake and Whitman. I enjoy Tennyson, Byron, Beddoes, Poe and many another, but these three are the top. I say that, not to start a fight, but to let you know how far my judgement may accord with yours.
1) It always has notes on the page explaining Scots-English words
2) it is complete (to the extent of even including all the Burns apocrypha) which means all the bawdy poems are there
Beyond this, it has copious commentary on each poem, explaining context, history &c. There is no other Burns volume that approaches this one for comprehensiveness and convenience of reading.
As for Burns' merits, I consider him one of the great English language poets of the 19th century, and the only one of that period who ranks with Blake and Whitman. I enjoy Tennyson, Byron, Beddoes, Poe and many another, but these three are the top. I say that, not to start a fight, but to let you know how far my judgement may accord with yours.
October 24, 2010
This is an inexpensive edition, and like a good mixed-tape, filled with a variety of well-loved songs and verse. It also includes a much needed Scots-English dictionary in the appendix, and though not necessary for all of the work herein, a total must for most.
I wrote a facebook comment to a friend in Scots the other day, as it´s easy to pick up on and well, beyond charming, I even memorized a few lines to be repeated at the bars, because I´m sure that nearly everyone loves Burns, and who wouldn´t love Scots? It´s all guid-willie.
I wrote a facebook comment to a friend in Scots the other day, as it´s easy to pick up on and well, beyond charming, I even memorized a few lines to be repeated at the bars, because I´m sure that nearly everyone loves Burns, and who wouldn´t love Scots? It´s all guid-willie.
April 6, 2012
Alright, so I'm not big into poetry, but I really enjoyed this book once I caught onto the Scottish vocab. Based on his poetry, Burns was not a complex man, but his humor is easy and his love for all people (particularly the ladies) is endearing.
June 21, 2015
I would have rated a "Best of" edition 4, maybe even 5 stars. Burns has some great poems and songs, which can be witty, positive, sad or funny. But far from all of his poems are that good, and after a while, even read at small doses, the poems in "Complete" edition get too repetitive and formulaic.
June 18, 2024
Well. This is one of those times where I wish I had the perfect emoji to insert. I'm sure my face must be a study right now.
Throughout my time reading this book (a public domain Kindle book), I was complaining about how much I couldn't understand the poetry because it's written in 18th century Scottish brogue. I was feeling proud of myself because I had figured out that 'maun' meant 'must' while 'e'e' meant 'eye'. Yay. Good job me. I figured out two words. Imagine my astonishment when 5 seconds ago I discovered that there was a glossary in the back of the book explaining all of these words.
*head desk*
If I had known that, I would have bookmarked the darn thing and flipped back and forth every time I came across an unknown word. I'm sure it would have made the reading experience a lot more meaningful. But, alas, I didn't know that, I guess I assumed there was no such thing because it was a public domain book. I learned my lesson. I will check for such useful tools first next time.
Unfortunately for Mr. Burns, I have no desire to go back and re-read this even with the glossary to help translate everything into modern English for me. I know I would get more out of it, but I don't care. I really don't want to re-read this book.
It's not that I didn't enjoy it, I did. Or at least some bits of it. I think Burns' genius lay in how he could mock people very effectively. My favorites were three different diatribes against intellectual elites that are still pertinent today, and one hilarious poem sniping at some gossipy lady through a poem pinned to her carriage.
"A set o' dull conceited hashes
confuse their brains in college classes!
The gang in stirks and come out asses."
This one seems particularly apt today because of how it seems that instead of focusing on teaching people how to think, places of higher education churn out people who have been taught what to think. Instead of learning how complex the world is and how to consider it deeply with humility, so many students shout simplified slogans and believe utterly in their own intellectual superiority.
"But human bodies are sic fools,
For a' their colleges and schools,
That wen nae real ills perplex them,
They make enouw themsels's to vex them."
This one also cuts to the bone. We live in a society where we are incredibly rich as compared to every single human that has gone before us. We can get food by clicking a button, water that is clean to drink by lifting a lever, provide for ourselves through work that requires no physical labor, and yet anxiety and depression is at all time highs. We have too much free time on our hands we focus on things that don't matter. Or at least, I do.
"But accept, ye sublime Majority,
My congratulations hearty.
With your honours, as with a certain king,
In your servants this is striking,
The more incapcity they bring,
The more they're to your liking."
I guess putting people into positions of power that are utterly unqualified for it is something that has been around since the beginning of time and will always be around. Sad. We haven't improved in this area at all.
"If you rattle along like your Mistress' tongue,
Your speed will outrival the dart;
But a fly for your load,
You'll break down on the road,
If your stuff be as rotten's her heart."
I can't help it, that last one just makes me snicker. Can you imagine being the subject of one of this man's lampoons? How humiliating. Highly amusing for everyone reading the lampoon though. I mean, even though I have no idea who Mrs. Walter Riddell is, I have a highly amusing mental picture of her because we all know someone who likes to hear themselves talk while not having anything important to say, and those experiences build onto this poem to make it extremely relatable.
So, there were definite times of enjoyment while reading this book. But there were also times of incredible slog. Particularly sloggy were the love poems, which I swear made up 80% of the book. The other 15% were political poems, which, while very amusing and interesting in that I could connect some of the events and people to other books I was reading at the time (a book on predestination of all things), they were mostly boring and I didn't care because they were too far removed from me and my experiences. The other 5% though, were either highly amusing lampoons, or heart-rending songs of mourning the loss of children or the devastation of a country racked by war and well worth the read.
Throughout my time reading this book (a public domain Kindle book), I was complaining about how much I couldn't understand the poetry because it's written in 18th century Scottish brogue. I was feeling proud of myself because I had figured out that 'maun' meant 'must' while 'e'e' meant 'eye'. Yay. Good job me. I figured out two words. Imagine my astonishment when 5 seconds ago I discovered that there was a glossary in the back of the book explaining all of these words.
*head desk*
If I had known that, I would have bookmarked the darn thing and flipped back and forth every time I came across an unknown word. I'm sure it would have made the reading experience a lot more meaningful. But, alas, I didn't know that, I guess I assumed there was no such thing because it was a public domain book. I learned my lesson. I will check for such useful tools first next time.
Unfortunately for Mr. Burns, I have no desire to go back and re-read this even with the glossary to help translate everything into modern English for me. I know I would get more out of it, but I don't care. I really don't want to re-read this book.
It's not that I didn't enjoy it, I did. Or at least some bits of it. I think Burns' genius lay in how he could mock people very effectively. My favorites were three different diatribes against intellectual elites that are still pertinent today, and one hilarious poem sniping at some gossipy lady through a poem pinned to her carriage.
"A set o' dull conceited hashes
confuse their brains in college classes!
The gang in stirks and come out asses."
This one seems particularly apt today because of how it seems that instead of focusing on teaching people how to think, places of higher education churn out people who have been taught what to think. Instead of learning how complex the world is and how to consider it deeply with humility, so many students shout simplified slogans and believe utterly in their own intellectual superiority.
"But human bodies are sic fools,
For a' their colleges and schools,
That wen nae real ills perplex them,
They make enouw themsels's to vex them."
This one also cuts to the bone. We live in a society where we are incredibly rich as compared to every single human that has gone before us. We can get food by clicking a button, water that is clean to drink by lifting a lever, provide for ourselves through work that requires no physical labor, and yet anxiety and depression is at all time highs. We have too much free time on our hands we focus on things that don't matter. Or at least, I do.
"But accept, ye sublime Majority,
My congratulations hearty.
With your honours, as with a certain king,
In your servants this is striking,
The more incapcity they bring,
The more they're to your liking."
I guess putting people into positions of power that are utterly unqualified for it is something that has been around since the beginning of time and will always be around. Sad. We haven't improved in this area at all.
"If you rattle along like your Mistress' tongue,
Your speed will outrival the dart;
But a fly for your load,
You'll break down on the road,
If your stuff be as rotten's her heart."
I can't help it, that last one just makes me snicker. Can you imagine being the subject of one of this man's lampoons? How humiliating. Highly amusing for everyone reading the lampoon though. I mean, even though I have no idea who Mrs. Walter Riddell is, I have a highly amusing mental picture of her because we all know someone who likes to hear themselves talk while not having anything important to say, and those experiences build onto this poem to make it extremely relatable.
So, there were definite times of enjoyment while reading this book. But there were also times of incredible slog. Particularly sloggy were the love poems, which I swear made up 80% of the book. The other 15% were political poems, which, while very amusing and interesting in that I could connect some of the events and people to other books I was reading at the time (a book on predestination of all things), they were mostly boring and I didn't care because they were too far removed from me and my experiences. The other 5% though, were either highly amusing lampoons, or heart-rending songs of mourning the loss of children or the devastation of a country racked by war and well worth the read.
March 17, 2024
I think they are best read out loud with a peaty whisky.
Epistle To A Young Friend <<--- PURE GOLD
Winter: A Dirge
The Jolly Beggars
Prayer, Under The Pressure Of Violent Anguish
To A Louse, On Seeing One On A Lady's Bonnet, At Church
Auld Lang Syne
A Man's A Man For A' That <-- A masterpiece IMHO
A Red, Red Rose <-- Love Poem
I'll Meet Thee On The Lea Rig
Man Was Made To Mourn: A Dirge <-- Look not on youthful prime
My Bonie Mary
Robert Bruce's March To Bannockburn <----(Below)
Robert Bruce's March To Bannockburn
Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to Victorie!
Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour;
See approach proud Edward's power�
Chains and Slaverie!
Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a Slave?
Let him turn and flee!
Wha, for Scotland's King and Law,
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Free-man stand, or Free-man fa',
Let him on wi' me!
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!
Such A Parcel Of Rogues In A Nation
Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame,
Fareweel our ancient glory;
Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name,
Sae fam'd in martial story.
Now Sark rins over Solway sands,
An' Tweed rins to the ocean,
To mark where England's province stands�
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
What force or guile could not subdue,
Thro' many warlike ages,
Is wrought now by a coward few,
For hireling traitor's wages.
The English stell we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station;
But English gold has been our bane�
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
O would, or I had seen the day
That Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll mak this declaration;
We're bought and sold for English gold�
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
.
Tam O' Shanter (snipits)
Where sits our sulky, sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
...
The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last;
The rattling showers rose on the blast;
The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd;
Loud, deep, and lang, the thunder bellow'd:
That night, a child might understand,
The deil had business on his hand.
Epistle To A Young Friend <<--- PURE GOLD
Winter: A Dirge
The Jolly Beggars
Prayer, Under The Pressure Of Violent Anguish
To A Louse, On Seeing One On A Lady's Bonnet, At Church
Auld Lang Syne
A Man's A Man For A' That <-- A masterpiece IMHO
A Red, Red Rose <-- Love Poem
I'll Meet Thee On The Lea Rig
Man Was Made To Mourn: A Dirge <-- Look not on youthful prime
My Bonie Mary
Robert Bruce's March To Bannockburn <----(Below)
Robert Bruce's March To Bannockburn
Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to Victorie!
Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour;
See approach proud Edward's power�
Chains and Slaverie!
Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a Slave?
Let him turn and flee!
Wha, for Scotland's King and Law,
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Free-man stand, or Free-man fa',
Let him on wi' me!
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!
Such A Parcel Of Rogues In A Nation
Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame,
Fareweel our ancient glory;
Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name,
Sae fam'd in martial story.
Now Sark rins over Solway sands,
An' Tweed rins to the ocean,
To mark where England's province stands�
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
What force or guile could not subdue,
Thro' many warlike ages,
Is wrought now by a coward few,
For hireling traitor's wages.
The English stell we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station;
But English gold has been our bane�
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
O would, or I had seen the day
That Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll mak this declaration;
We're bought and sold for English gold�
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
.
Tam O' Shanter (snipits)
Where sits our sulky, sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
...
The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last;
The rattling showers rose on the blast;
The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd;
Loud, deep, and lang, the thunder bellow'd:
That night, a child might understand,
The deil had business on his hand.
September 24, 2020
In pre-Corona times I was at a huge Burns Supper in Bucharest, a world wide tradition orginated around 1800 celebrating the life and work of Scotland’s hero Robert Burns. At the silent auction at the Supper, I got a nice edition of the Poems an Songs of Robert Burns. In Corona times I had the change to read his work more seriously. Thanks to the online course offered by the Univeristy of Glasgow, I had a great companion to understanding the poetry. Timeless works. Highly recommended.
July 10, 2017
Favorite poet
Yes Burns is my favorite poet. My all time favorite poem is "A Red Red Rose". The best part of the poems is that they are written in old English and it brings the feelings to life. In some ways, the past reminds us of a simpler time but tell feelings and emotions are the same. Love. Romance. Lust. Betrayal. Enjoyment of life.
Yes Burns is my favorite poet. My all time favorite poem is "A Red Red Rose". The best part of the poems is that they are written in old English and it brings the feelings to life. In some ways, the past reminds us of a simpler time but tell feelings and emotions are the same. Love. Romance. Lust. Betrayal. Enjoyment of life.
January 25, 2018
Perfect Burns Night Poetry Read
"Fare-the-weel, thou first and fairest! Fare-the-weel, thou best and dearest! Thine be ilka joy and treasure, Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure! Ae fond kiss, and then we sever! Ae farewell, alas, for ever! Deep in heart-wrung tears I ’ll pledge thee, Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee."
"Fare-the-weel, thou first and fairest! Fare-the-weel, thou best and dearest! Thine be ilka joy and treasure, Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure! Ae fond kiss, and then we sever! Ae farewell, alas, for ever! Deep in heart-wrung tears I ’ll pledge thee, Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee."
December 30, 2024
Robert Burns was a brilliant poet. He was compassionate and sensitive in ways rarely associated with men in history. It gives me hope to listen to his poems, hundreds of years later, and recall that good hearts have and will always be out there.
Audio performances with a strong Scottish narrator recommended.
Audio performances with a strong Scottish narrator recommended.
November 26, 2021
I enjoyed a few of the poems and songs, but most of them do not seem to me to be carefully composed. The Scottish dialect proved to be a problem for me as well. I would guess he made his mark writing novels.
January 25, 2024
Read this in anticipation of going to a Burns supper on Jan 25th. Great poet. My favorites are to a louse, to a mouse and auld lang syne (the song we sing on NYE). Some poems require a lot of translation due to unfamiliar Scottish words but there is a nice glossary to help.
June 13, 2018
Very small book. With a collection of Burns work. The book is colorful, filled with most memorable of Roberts Burns. It was an easy read.
January 25, 2019
Delightful collection of poems and songs by Robbie Burns. I so very much love his work:) This edition is quite a nice value as well.
June 1, 2019
wonderful poems:)
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