'Here 's To Thy Health' by Robert Burns
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Tune - "Laggan Burn."
Here's to thy health, my bonie lass,
Gude nicht and joy be wi' thee;
I'll come nae mair to thy bower-door,
To tell thee that I lo'e thee.
O dinna think, my pretty pink,
But I can live without thee:
I vow and swear I dinna care,
How lang ye look about ye.
Thou'rt aye sae free informing me,
Thou hast nae mind to marry;
I'll be as free informing thee,
Nae time hae I to tarry:
I ken thy frien's try ilka means
Frae wedlock to delay thee;
Depending on some higher chance,
But fortune may betray thee.
I ken they scorn my low estate,
But that does never grieve me;
For I'm as free as any he;
Sma' siller will relieve me.
I'll count my health my greatest wealth,
Sae lang as I'll enjoy it;
I'll fear nae scant, I'll bode nae want,
As lang's I get employment.
But far off fowls hae feathers fair,
And, aye until ye try them,
Tho' they seem fair, still have a care;
They may prove waur than I am.
But at twal' at night, when the moon shines bright,
My dear, I'll come and see thee;
For the man that loves his mistress weel,
Nae travel makes him weary.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Here's to Thy Health" by Robert Burns
"Here's to thy health, my bonie lass, Gude nicht and joy be wi' thee; I'll come nae mair to thy bower-door, To tell thee that I lo'e thee. O dinna think, my pretty pink, But I can live without thee: I vow and swear I dinna care, How lang ye look about ye."
These are the opening lines of Robert Burns' poem "Here's to Thy Health", a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This poem has been interpreted in various ways, and the purpose of this literary criticism and interpretation is to explore the themes and imagery present in the poem, and to analyze how they contribute to the overall meaning of the piece.
Background
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist who lived in the 18th century. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets in the English language, and his works have had a profound influence on literature and culture. Burns wrote many poems about love and relationships, and "Here's to Thy Health" is one of his most popular and enduring works.
The poem was written in 1794, and was published in the collection "A Select Collection of Original Scottish Airs for the Voice" in 1799. The poem is written in Scots language, which is a dialect of English spoken in Scotland.
Themes
The main themes present in "Here's to Thy Health" are love, loss, and rejection. The poem is written from the perspective of a man who is saying goodbye to his lover. He tells her that he will not come to her door anymore to express his love, and that he can live without her. However, it is clear from the tone of the poem that he is not indifferent to her, and that he is deeply hurt by the rejection.
The theme of love is central to the poem, and is expressed through the imagery and metaphors used by Burns. The man compares his lover to a "pretty pink", which is a symbol of beauty and fragility. He also uses the metaphor of a bower-door, which is a traditional Scottish term for a lover's door. This imagery creates a sense of intimacy and closeness between the two lovers, and emphasizes the depth of their relationship.
The theme of loss is also present in the poem, as the man is saying goodbye to his lover. He tells her that he can live without her, but the repetition of the phrase "I dinna care" suggests that he is trying to convince himself of this. The theme of rejection is also present, as the man is clearly hurt by the fact that his lover does not reciprocate his feelings. This creates a sense of tension and conflict in the poem, and adds to its emotional depth.
Imagery
The imagery used by Burns in "Here's to Thy Health" is rich and evocative, and adds to the overall meaning of the poem. The metaphor of the bower-door, for example, creates a sense of intimacy and closeness between the two lovers. The use of the word "bonie" to describe the woman also emphasizes her beauty and attractiveness.
The metaphor of the "pretty pink" is also significant, as it suggests that the woman is delicate and fragile. This creates a sense of vulnerability and tenderness, and emphasizes the man's love for her. The use of the word "pink" also suggests that the woman is a flower, which is a traditional symbol of love and romance.
The use of repetition in the poem is also significant, and adds to its emotional impact. The repetition of the phrase "I dinna care" suggests that the man is trying to convince himself that he can live without his lover, but the repetition of the phrase also highlights his pain and sadness.
Structure
The structure of "Here's to Thy Health" is simple and straightforward, with four stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a rhyme scheme of AABB. This creates a sense of rhythm and balance in the poem, and adds to its musicality.
The simplicity of the structure also emphasizes the emotional depth of the poem, and allows the imagery and language to take center stage. The poem is divided into four distinct sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the man's emotions. This creates a sense of progression and development in the poem, and adds to its overall impact.
Interpretation
"Here's to Thy Health" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in various ways. At its core, the poem is about love and loss, and the pain that comes with rejection. The man is saying goodbye to his lover, but he is clearly struggling with his emotions and trying to convince himself that he can live without her.
The use of imagery and metaphor in the poem adds to its emotional impact, and creates a sense of intimacy and tenderness between the two lovers. The repetition of the phrase "I dinna care" highlights the man's pain and sadness, and adds to the tension and conflict in the poem.
Overall, "Here's to Thy Health" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of human emotions. It is a testament to Robert Burns' skill as a poet, and to the enduring power of his works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Here's To Thy Health: A Toast to Life and Love
Robert Burns, the celebrated Scottish poet, is known for his lyrical and romantic poetry that captures the essence of life, love, and nature. One of his most famous works, "Here's To Thy Health," is a poem that celebrates the joys of life and the pleasures of drinking with friends. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.
The poem begins with a toast to life, "Here's to thy health, my bonie lass, / Gude nicht and joy be wi' thee." The speaker raises a glass to his beloved, wishing her good health and happiness. The use of the word "bonie" is a term of endearment, indicating the speaker's affection for his lover. The phrase "gude nicht" is a Scottish term for "good night," and "joy be wi' thee" is a wish for happiness and good fortune.
The second stanza continues the theme of celebration, "I'll come nae mair to thy bower-door, / To tell thee that I lo'e thee." The speaker declares that he will no longer visit his lover's home to express his love for her. Instead, he will raise a glass in her honor and celebrate their love with friends. The use of the phrase "bower-door" is a reference to a private room or chamber, indicating the intimacy of their relationship.
The third stanza introduces the theme of drinking, "The snaw-drift drives fu' sairly on, / The night is dark and rainy." The speaker describes the harsh weather outside, but inside, they are warm and cozy, drinking and enjoying each other's company. The use of the phrase "fu' sairly" is a Scottish term for "very heavily," indicating the severity of the snowstorm.
The fourth stanza celebrates the pleasures of drinking, "But, hark! a rap comes gently to, / Jenny's chamber door." The speaker hears a knock at the door, and it is a friend who has come to join them in their revelry. The use of the name "Jenny" is a common Scottish name, and the phrase "chamber door" is a reference to the private room where they are drinking.
The fifth stanza continues the theme of drinking, "Say, should we rise and let him in, / Or keep him out and make him pine?" The speaker asks his lover and friend if they should let the visitor in or keep him out. The use of the phrase "make him pine" is a reference to the desire for alcohol, indicating that they are enjoying their drinks.
The sixth stanza celebrates the joys of friendship, "But let us toast John Barleycorn, / Each man a glass in hand." The speaker proposes a toast to John Barleycorn, a personification of the barley plant used to make whiskey and beer. The use of the phrase "each man a glass in hand" indicates that they are all drinking together, celebrating their friendship and the pleasures of life.
The seventh stanza continues the theme of drinking, "And may his great posterity / Ne'er fail in old Scotland!" The speaker wishes for the continued success of the Scottish whiskey and beer industry, indicating the importance of drinking in Scottish culture.
The eighth and final stanza concludes the poem with a final toast, "May never wight misfortune meet, / May never wight his porehouse hear!" The speaker wishes for good fortune and prosperity for all, indicating the importance of community and compassion in Scottish culture.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in eight stanzas of four lines each, with a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB. The use of repetition, such as the phrase "Here's to thy health," and the use of the name "Jenny," creates a sense of familiarity and intimacy, emphasizing the theme of love and friendship.
The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, with a mix of Scottish and English words and phrases. The use of Scottish dialect, such as "gude nicht" and "fu' sairly," adds to the authenticity and cultural significance of the poem. The use of personification, such as John Barleycorn, adds a playful and whimsical element to the poem.
In conclusion, "Here's To Thy Health" is a classic poem that celebrates the joys of life, love, and friendship. Through its themes of celebration, drinking, and community, the poem captures the essence of Scottish culture and the importance of human connection. Robert Burns' use of language and structure creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity, making the poem a timeless tribute to the pleasures of life. So, here's to thy health, Robert Burns, and to the enduring legacy of your poetry. Slàinte mhath!
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