Epitaph for J H Writer in Ayr
Here lies in a Scots mile of a chiel, If he's in heaven, Lord, fill him weel!
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About this work
This is an epitaph by Robert Burns. It was written in 1788 and is read here by Laura Fraser.
More about this epitaph
Ralph McLeanJH is most likely a reference to John Hunter, who owned the estate of Doonholm, Ayr. Burns included the epitaph in a letter to Mrs Dunlop on 7 December 1788.
The reference to a Scots mile, is not merely to the nationality of the deceased – it was a measurement, not precisely measured, but always considered longer than the standard mile.
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