Poems and Songs

by Robert Burns and Robert 1829-1888 Herdman

Book Overview

Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) called himself an Aeolian harp strung to every wind of heaven. His first volume of poems, entitled Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, was published in 1786. An immediate success, it established Burns's poetic reputation, which has grown over two centuries to the point where he is not only the Scottish national poet but the object of a cult unique in British poetry.
The present volume contains 43 of his finest...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486268632
• ISBN13: 9780486268637
• Release Date: June 1991
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.2" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

A most beloved Burns

There are few poets more beloved than Burns. His lyrics and his songs were even in his lifetime celebrated and loved. They reflect his own passionate and perhaps often too loving nature. The story of the country Scots' boy whose writing fame led him to dissipation in Edinburgh is also the story of a great lover( His wife Jean Armour and Mary Campbell were the two most famous) and celebrator of that love. Many of his lines live in the everyday life and mind of English speakers everywhere. New Years Day is the day of his 'Auld Lang Syne' and most of us have known the wisdom given in his 'To a Mouse'( The best laid schemes o'mice an men, Gang aft agley, An lea'e us nought but grief an pain, For promised joy.) Poetic anthologies of English verse unfailingly contain samples of his work. Among the most well- known are ( O My Luve is like a red, red rose, that's newly sprung in June: O my luve is like the melodie, That's sweetly played in tune.) and (Flow gently ,sweet Afton.Among thy green braes, Flow gently , I'll ing thee a song in thy praise; ). The Scots may be difficult at times, but the poems are direct, simple , clear and powerful in feeling.

My Favorite Poet

This is a nice collection of Robert Burns poems and songs. It is well done and very complete. There is an interesting chronology and a glossary of old Scottish words. Very well done and a reasonable price. I just received my copy and I am thrilled with it. It's amazing how much Burns wrote in his short lifetime. The rustic beauty of the poems and the sublime rhyme schemes are simply amazing and very moving. I recommend this book for someone who wants an inexpensive collection of Robert Burns.

Comprehensive collection of his work

This book contains all Robert's poems, including epitaphs, plus all his song lyrics, but not the sheet music, because he did not compose any music. Of course, there is one song of his, Auld lang syne, which is extremely well known, although not many people are aware that he was its writer. This is not a biography, though some brief historical details are provided. If you want an in-depth biography, you must look elsewhere.Robert Burns wrote about every topic you could imagine - love, nature, politics, people, anything that was topical in the late eighteenth century. Among the most famous poems are A red red rose (including the line Till a' the seas gang dry my dear), To a louse (including the line O wad the Power some giftie gie us) and To a mouse (including the line The best laid schemes o' mice and men).The poems and songs are presented chronologically in the order of date written. Personally, I would have preferred the book divided into chapter, with each chapter covering a different theme, but it doesn't really matter. There is an index of first lines as well as an index of titles.A glossary is provided to allow translation from Scottish to English. People sometimes joke that Britain and America are two countries separated by a common language, but this glossary is a reminder that the same can be said about Scotland and England. I cannot say how easy or difficult you will find the dialect. I was born of Scottish parents so I learned a bit as a child even though I was raised in England. Hopefully, you will most of it reasonably straightforward with a bit of practice. The quality of the poetry makes it well worth the effort.Within the main book, at the bottom of each page, footnotes are provided to set the context of the poem or song where this is deemed useful. For example, Ballad of the American war has footnotes giving brief details of events between 1775 and 1784, so you will immediately realise that the poem doesn't just focus on the war itself, but also its aftermath.

The Kinsley ed. is superb

One of the best and most trusted editions of the complete poems and songs of Robert Burns (1759-1796). Try to get one, if you can. (N.B.: The James Barke edition is also excellent.)