The Blue-Eyed Lassie


I gaed a waefu' gate, yestreen, A gate, I fear, I'll dearly rue; I gat my death frae twa sweet een, Twa lovely e'en o' bonie blue. 'Twas not her golden ringlets bright, Her lips like roses, wat wi' dew, Her heaving bosom, lily-white, It was her een sae bonie blue. She talk'd, she smil'd, my heart she wyl'd, She charm'd my soul I wist na how; And ay the stound, the deadly wound, Cam frae her een sae bonie blue. But spare to speak, and spare to speed; She'll aiblins listen to my vow: Should she refuse, I'll lay my dead To her twa een sae bonie blue.

Listen

Cal Macaninch

About this work

This is a poem by Robert Burns. It was written in 1788 and is read here by Cal Macaninch.

Themes for this poem

womanbeauty

Selected for 22 October

We previously discussed the 18th century preference - at least in literature - for 'golden ringlets'. Today's poem provides further evidence that in love as well as lyrics, gentlemen, sometimes really did prefer blondes.

Donny O'Rourke

Skip to top

BBC © 2014The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.