Robert Burns Poems - Meaningful & Timeless Works

Robert Burns, widely regarded as Scotland's national poet, wrote some of the most well-known and beloved Scottish poems ever. His poems captured and honored features of rural existence, local experiences, traditional culture, social classes and society, and the ceremonies of religion.

Burns' poetry is identified by its use of the Scots language, rhythm, and directness. He created poems that were both emotional and insightful by expertly integrating elements of Romanticism with Enlightenment philosophy. His lasting popularity was established by his insightful analyses of daily life and his capacity to capture the happiness and sadness of common people.

Here are the most famous poems written by Robert Burns, from which you will learn a lot and be able to relate to them.

Robert Burns Poem A Red Red Rose

A Red Red Rose poetry expresses the speaker's intense love for their significant other and guarantees that this love will last beyond human life and even the planet itself, staying new and unchanging forever. Burns has crafted a piece that delves deeply into this narrator's love via structure, metaphor, simile, and repetition. He compares his love to a beautiful melody and a red rose in blossom.

A Red Red Rose

O my Luve's like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June:

O my Luve's like the melodie

That's sweetly play'd in tune!

As fair thou art, my bonnie lass,

So deep in love am I:

And I will love thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry:

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt with the sun;

I will luve thee still my dear,

When the sands of life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again , my Luve,

Tho' it were ten thousand mile.

Robert Burns Address To A Haggis Poem

Robert Burns Haggis poem is a loud and loving tribute to a popular Scottish food. The poem turns the haggis into a representation of Scottish culture and pride through its rich imagery and intense adoration. At first, the tone is joyful and light-hearted, but it eventually changes to a more patriotic and even somewhat heated defence of Scottish culinary customs. The poem is both humorous and thought-provoking due to its blend of humour and patriotism.

Address To A Haggis

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,

Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!

Aboon them a' ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy of a grace

As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,

Your hurdies like a distant hill,

Your pin wad help to mend a mill

In time o' need,

While thro' your pores the dews distil

Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An' cut ye up wi' ready slight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright

Like onie ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn, they strech an' strive:

Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,

Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,

Are bent like drums;

Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,

'Bethankit!' hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout

Or olio that wad staw a sow,

Or fricassee wad mak her spew

Wi' perfect sconner,

Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view

On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,

As feckless as a wither'd rash,

His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash,

His nieve a nit;

Thro' bluidy flood or field to dash,

O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,

The trembling earth resounds his tread.

Clap in his walie nieve a blade,

He'll make it whissle;

An' legs, an' arms, an' heads will sned,

Like taps o' thrissle.

Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill o 'fare,

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware

That jaups in luggies;

But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,

Gie her a Haggis!

Auld Lang Syne Poem by Robert Burns

Robert Burns' "Auld Lang Syne," one of the most immediately recognizable poems ever written, is arguably his finest work and has come to represent a variety of events throughout the English-speaking world. This poem is Burns' masterpiece because of its unforgettable lyrics and universal sentiments of loss and remembering. It is traditionally performed on New Year's Eve and during funerals.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my jo,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

And surely you'll be your pint stoup,

And surely I'll be mine,

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne!

Chorus

We twa hae ran about the braes,

And pou'd the gowans fine,

But we've wander'd monie a weary fit

Sin' auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn

Frae morning sun til dine,

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin' auld lang syne.

Chorus

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,

And gie's a hand o' thine,

And we'll tak a right gude willie waught

For auld lang syne!

Chorus

Robert Burns To A Mouse Poem

Robert Burns' "To a Mouse" tells a sad story of a mouse whose home was torn apart by the poet. The speaker of the poem regrets the misfortune of a mouse after unintentionally destroying its nest with his plough.

The shorter lines employ iambic trimeter, whereas the longer lines use iambic tetrameter. This meter highlights the mutual sensitivity of humans and mice by producing a heartbeat-like tone that strengthens their emotional bond.

To A Mouse

Wee, sleeket, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,

Oh, what a panic's in thy breastie!

Thou need na start awa sae hasty

Wi' bickerin brattle!

I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee

Wi' murd'ring pattle!

I'm truly sorry man's dominion

Has broken Nature's social union,

An' justifies that ill opinion

Which makes thee startle

At me, thy poor earth-born companion,

An' fellow-mortal!

I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve:

What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!

A daimen icker in a thrave

'S a sma' request;

I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,

An' never miss 't!

Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin!

Its silly wa's the win's are strewin!

An' naething, now, to big a new ane,

O' foggage green!

An' bleak December's winds ensuin

Baith snell an' keen!

Thou saw the fields laid bare an' wast,

An' weary winter comin fast,

An' cozie here beneath the blast

Thou thought to dwell,

Till crash! the cruel coulter past

Out thro' thy cell.

That wee bit heap o' leaves an' stibble

Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!

Now thou's turn'd out for a' thy trouble,

But house or hald,

To thole the winter's sleety dribble

An' cranreuch cauld!

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane

In proving foresight may be vain:

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men

Gang aft agley,

An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain

For promis'd joy.

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me!

The present only toucheth thee:

But, och! I backward cast my e'e

On prospects drear!

An' forward, tho' I canna see,

I guess an' fear!

Robert Burns A Winter Night Poem

This poem describes a bitterly cold, dark, and snowy winter's night. The depressing weather and its effects on both people and animals are highlighted in the poem. The winter storm destroys cattle, keeps people inside, and shakes structures. The speaker condemns the circumstances of animals and birds that are fighting to survive in the harsh surroundings.

A Winter Night

Here is that Robert Burns Night poem:

When biting Boreas, fell and doure,

Sharp shivers thro' the leafless bow'r;

When Phœbus gies a short-liv'd glow'r,

Far south the lift,

Dim-dark'ning thro' the flaky show'r,

Or whirling drift:

Ae night the storm the steeples rocked,

Poor Labour sweet in sleep was locked,

While burns, wi' snawy wreeths upchoked,

Wild-eddying swirl,

Or thro' the mining outlet bocked,

Down headlong hurl.

List'ning, the doors an' winnocks rattle,

I thought me on the ourie cattle,

Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle

O' winter war,

And thro' the drift, deep-lairing, sprattle,

Beneath a scar.

Ilk happing bird, wee, helpless thing!

That, in the merry months o' spring,

Delighted me to hear thee sing,

What comes o' thee?

Whare wilt thou cow'r thy chittering wing

An' close thy e'e?

Ev'n you on murd'ring errands toil'd,

Lone from your savage homes exil'd,

The blood-stain'd roost, and sheep-cote spoil'd

My heart forgets,

While pityless the tempest wild

Sore on you beats.

Robert Burns Love In The Guise Of Friendship Poem

This poem examines the complex nature of friendship and love, balancing the comfort of genuine friendship with the suffering of unfulfilled love. The speaker finds comfort in the everlasting and humble quality of friendship after suffering from failed romantic love. The speaker's basic and uncomplicated approach to love is reflected in the poem's language.

Love In The Guise Of Friendship

Talk not of love, it gives me pain,

For love has been my foe;

He bound me in an iron chain,

And plung'd me deep in woe.

But friendship's pure and lasting joys,

My heart was form'd to prove;

There, welcome win and wear the prize,

But never talk of love.

Your friendship much can make me blest,

O why that bliss destroy?

Why urge the only, one request

You know I will deny?

Your thought, if Love must harbour there,

Conceal it in that thought;

Nor cause me from my bosom tear

The very friend I sought.

Which poem touched your heart the most? Tell us in the comments.

Frequently Asked Question

Q. Which of Robert Burns love poems is ideal for romantic settings?

One of the greatest options for romantic events like anniversaries or weddings is a red rose since it beautifully conveys intense and everlasting affection.

Q. Which of Robert Burns' poems is the most famous in the world?

His most well-known poem, Auld Lang Syne, is frequently sung during New Year's festivities worldwide.

Q. Are the poems of Robert Burns still relevant today?

Yes, Robert Burns' poems are still relevant today because they highlight timeless human emotions.