A BARD'S EPITAPH. A Bard's Epitaph, written in 1786, is so sincere a confession of Burns's own faults that it seems an impertinence to rebuke them further. 10 Is there a whim-inspirèd fool, Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule, And owre this grassy heap sing dool, Is there a bard of rustic song, Who, noteless, steals the crowds among, Oh, pass not by! But, with a frater-feeling strong, Here heave a sigh. Is there a man whose judgment clear Here pause and, through the starting tear, The poor inhabitant below 20 Was quick to learn, and wise to know, And softer flame; 2. owre, over. 3. snool, submit tamely. 5. dool, sorrow. 6. drap, drop. 5 10 15 But thoughtless follies laid him low, 25 Reader, attend-whether thy soul 30 Know, prudent, cautious self-control SONGS. FOR A' THAT AND A' THAT. Is there, for honest poverty, That hangs his head, and a' that! Our toils obscure, and a' that; What though on hamely fare we dine, Wear hodden-gray, and a' that; Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, A man's a man for a' that! For a' that, and a' that, Their tinsel show, and a' that; The honest man, though e'er sae poor, 8. gowd, gold. 11. gie, give. Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord, Wha struts, and stares, and a' that; Though hundreds worship at his word, 20 He's but a coof for a' that. For a' that, and a' that, His ribbon, star, and a' that; 25 A prince can mak a belted knight, 30 Their dignities, and a' that; The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, Then let us pray As come it will for a' that 25 That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, 40 May bear the gree, and a' that. For a' that, and a' that, It's coming yet, for a' that, That man to man, the warld o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that! 17. birkie, fellow. 20. coof, fool. 25. mak, make. 27. aboon, above. 28. he maunna fa' that, he must not think an honest man is not "aboon his might." 36. gree, prize. 39. warld, world. 5 10 AULD LANG SYNE. SHOULD auld acquaintance be forgot, CHORUS. For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet We twa hae run about the braes, And pu'd the gowans fine; But we've wandered monie a weary foot, 15 But seas between us braid hae roared, Sin' auld lang syne. And here's a hand, my trusty fiere, And we'll tak a right guid willie-waught, 20 For auld lang syne. 9. twa, two; braes, hillsides. 10. gowans, daisies. 13. paidl't, paddled; burn, stream. 14. dine, sunset. 15. braid, broad. 17. fiere, friend. 19. willie-waught, hearty draught. And surely you'll be your pint-stoup, And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet MY FATHER WAS A FARMER. TUNE The Weaver and his Shuttle, O. My father was a farmer upon the Carrick border, O, And carefully he bred me in decency and order, O; He bade me act a manly part, though I had ne'er a farthing, O, For without an honest manly heart no man was worth regarding, O. 5 Then out into the world my course I did determine, O; Though to be rich was not my wish, yet to be great was charming, 0: My talents they were not the worst, nor yet my education, O; Resolved was I, at least to try, to mend my situation, O. In many a way, and vain essay, I courted fortune's favor, O; 10 Some cause unseen still stept between, to frustrate each endeavor, O. Sometimes by foes I was o'erpowered, sometimes by friends forsaken, O; And when my hope was at the top, I still was worst mistaken, O. 21. stoup, flagon. |
