The Banks o' Doon...

Robert Burness was born in Alloway, Ayrshire, on January 25, 1759.  Young Robert was one of seven children, and was the eldest son.  The name probably won't mean anything to you, but if I tell you he later shortened the name to "Burns", that will be more familiar!

 Robert Burns Statue - Kilmarnock by summonedbyfells is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

Robert Burns remains Scotland's most popular poet, and Scots around the globe still celebrate his birthday with Burns Night.  Here is one of his works, The Banks o' Doon.  This is the third version from 1791.

The Banks o' Doon

Ye banks and braes o' bonie Doon,

How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair?

How can ye chant, ye little birds,

And I sae weary, fu' o' care!

Ye'll break my heart, ye warbling bird,

That wantons thro' the flowering thorn:

Ye minds me o' departed joys,

Departed never to return!

Aft hae I rov'd by bonie Doon,

To see the rose and woodbine twine:

And ilka bird sang o' its Luve,

And fondly sae did I o' mine.

Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose,

Fu' sweet upon its thorny tree!

And my fause luver staw my rose,

But, Ah! he left the thorn wi' me.