Poems and Songs of Robert Burns | Page 8

explanation of much of the peculiar quality of the songs of Burns. Scarcely any known author has succeeded so brilliantly in combining his work with folk material, or in carrying on with such continuity of spirit the tradition of popular song. For George Thomson's collection of Scottish airs he performed a function similar to that which he had had in the "Museum"; and his poetical activity during the last eight or nine years of his life was chiefly devoted to these two publications. In spite of the fact that he was constantly in severe financial straits, he refused to accept any recompense for this work, preferring to regard it as a patriotic service. And it was, indeed, a patriotic service of no small magnitude. By birth and temperament he was singularly fitted for the task, and this fitness is proved by the unique extent to which his productions were accepted by his countrymen, and have passed into the life and feeling of his race.
Song - Handsome Nell^1
Tune - "I am a man unmarried."
[Footnote 1: The first of my performances. - R. B.]
Once I lov'd a bonie lass,?Ay, and I love her still;?And whilst that virtue warms my breast,?I'll love my handsome Nell.
As bonie lasses I hae seen,?And mony full as braw;?But, for a modest gracefu' mein,?The like I never saw.
A bonie lass, I will confess,?Is pleasant to the e'e;?But, without some better qualities,?She's no a lass for me.
But Nelly's looks are blythe and sweet,?And what is best of a',?Her reputation is complete,?And fair without a flaw.
She dresses aye sae clean and neat,?Both decent and genteel;?And then there's something in her gait?Gars ony dress look weel.
A gaudy dress and gentle air?May slightly touch the heart;?But it's innocence and modesty?That polishes the dart.
'Tis this in Nelly pleases me,?'Tis this enchants my soul;?For absolutely in my breast?She reigns without control.
Song - O Tibbie, I Hae Seen The Day
Tune - "Invercauld's Reel, or Strathspey."
Choir. - O Tibbie, I hae seen the day,?Ye wadna been sae shy;?For laik o' gear ye lightly me,?But, trowth, I care na by.
Yestreen I met you on the moor,?Ye spak na, but gaed by like stour;?Ye geck at me because I'm poor,?But fient a hair care I.?O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c.
When coming hame on Sunday last,?Upon the road as I cam past,?Ye snufft and ga'e your head a castBut?trowth I care't na by.?O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c.
I doubt na, lass, but ye may think,?Because ye hae the name o' clink,?That ye can please me at a wink,?Whene'er ye like to try.?O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c.
But sorrow tak' him that's sae mean,?Altho' his pouch o' coin were clean,?Wha follows ony saucy quean,?That looks sae proud and high.?O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c.
Altho' a lad were e'er sae smart,?If that he want the yellow dirt,?Ye'll cast your head anither airt,?And answer him fu' dry.?O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c.
But, if he hae the name o' gear,?Ye'll fasten to him like a brier,?Tho' hardly he, for sense or lear,?Be better than the kye.?O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c.
But, Tibbie, lass, tak' my advice:?Your daddie's gear maks you sae nice;?The deil a ane wad speir your price,?Were ye as poor as I.?O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c.
There lives a lass beside yon park,?I'd rather hae her in her sark,?Than you wi' a' your thousand mark;?That gars you look sae high.?O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c.
Song - I Dream'd I Lay
I dream'd I lay where flowers were springing?Gaily in the sunny beam;?List'ning to the wild birds singing,?By a falling crystal stream:?Straight the sky grew black and daring;?Thro' the woods the whirlwinds rave;?Tress with aged arms were warring,?O'er the swelling drumlie wave.
Such was my life's deceitful morning,?Such the pleasures I enjoyed:?But lang or noon, loud tempests storming?A' my flowery bliss destroy'd.?Tho' fickle fortune has deceiv'd meShe?promis'd fair, and perform'd but ill,?Of mony a joy and hope bereav'd meI?bear a heart shall support me still.
Song - In The Character Of A Ruined Farmer
Tune - "Go from my window, Love, do."
The sun he is sunk in the west,?All creatures retired to rest,?While here I sit, all sore beset,?With sorrow, grief, and woe:?And it's O, fickle Fortune, O!
The prosperous man is asleep,?Nor hears how the whirlwinds sweep;?But Misery and I must watch?The surly tempest blow:?And it's O, fickle Fortune, O!
There lies the dear partner of my breast;?Her cares for a moment at rest:?Must I see thee, my youthful pride,?Thus brought so very low!?And it's O, fickle Fortune, O!
There lie my sweet babies in her arms;?No anxious fear their little hearts alarms;?But for their sake my heart does ache,?With many a bitter throe:?And it's O, fickle Fortune, O!
I once was by Fortune carest:?I once could relieve the distrest:?Now life's poor support,