Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns (1759 – 1796)

 

Robert Burns is often referred to as ‘Scotland’s Bard’. A prolific writer of poetry and songs, he is perhaps most famous, outside of Scotland, for that New Year’s eve favourite ‘Auld Lang Syne’. The song sung (very badly in most cases) across the world at midnight on December 31st each year to welcome in the new year. Many of his poems have been ‘translated’ from their original scottish, yet many can still be understood without such translation. Below is one such poem. Read and enjoy.

The 25th January is ‘Burns’ Night’ in Scotland, when celebrations of the writer are held. It is a huge event for the Scottish, and commences with the ‘piping in of the pudding’ – a procession where a haggis is paraded into the party to the music of the bagpipes.

(Please note, this poem is written in the Scottish of the time, therefore spellings are not the same as today’s)

 

O,my luve is like a red red rose.

O, my luve is like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June.

O, my love is like a melodie,

That’s sweetly play’d in tune.

 

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass

So deep in luve am I,

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a’ the seas gang dry.

 

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my luve,

And the rocks melt wi’ the sun!

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o’ life shall run.

 

And fare thee weel, my only luve!

And fare thee weel, a while!

And I will come again, my luve,

Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

 

You can listen to this poem being sung on the video below

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