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Composed in Spring


Again rejoicing Nature sees Her robe assume its vernal hues, Her leafy locks wave in the breeze All freshly steep'd in morning dews. And maun I still on Menie doat, And bear the scorn that's in her e'e! For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk, An' it winna let a body be! In vain to me the cowslips blaw, In vain to me the vi'lets spring; In vain to me, in glen or shaw, The mavis and the lintwhite sing. The merry Ploughboy cheers his team, Wi' joy the tentie Seedsman stalks, But life to me's a weary dream, A dream of ane that never wauks. The wanton coot the water skims, Amang the reeds the ducklings cry, The stately swan majestic swims, And ev'ry thing is blest but I. The Sheep-herd steeks his faulding slap, And owre the moorlands whistles shill, Wi' wild, unequal, wand'ring step, I meet him on the dewy hill. And when the lark,'tween light and dark, Blythe waukens by the daisy's side, And mounts and sings on flittering wings, A woe-worn ghaist I hameward glide. Come Winter, with thine angry howl, And raging bend the naked tree; Thy gloom will soothe my chearless soul, When Nature all is sad like me! And maun I still on Menie doat, And bear the scorn that's in her e'e! For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk, An' it winna let a body be!

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Gerry Carruthers

About this work

This is a song by Robert Burns. It was written in 1786 and is read here by Gerry Carruthers.

More about this song

There is some debate over the dating of this song.

Early editors of Burns believed that it was composed between 1785-6, however James Kinsley believed that owing to the available evidence it in fact dated from the period when Burns visited Edinburgh.

Likewise the song was originally associated with Jean Armour, but there is no specific reference to her in the piece, and so the sentiments may be generic.

The song is set to the tune ‘Johnny’s Grey Breeks’.

Ralph McLean

Themes for this song

natureunhappiness

Selected for 01 February

This is the feast day of St Brigid. According to Celtic custom, spring starts now! As the days slowly lengthen, there may even be the odd bud or blossom about to back up that belief. In Ireland or the west of Scotland, February the first, Imbolc, one of the four quarter days of the pre-Christian calendar, was traditionally associated with rebirth and renewal. Burns composed a very bawdy Ode to Spring, a piece far too earthy for inclusion here, but today's selection ought to help usher in and celebrate the season of resurgence and replenishment. Of course winter may reassert itself yet, as it does at the end of the poem.

Donny O'Rourke

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