'Green Grow The Rashes' by Robert Burns

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Green grow the rashes, O!
Green grow the rashes, O!
The sweetest hours that e'er I spend,
Are spent amang the lasses, O!There's nought but care on every han'
In every hour that passes, O;
What signifies the life o' man,
An 'twere na for the lasses, O?The warl'ly race may riches chase,
An' riches still may fly them, O;
An' though at last they catch them fast,
Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, O.But gi'e me a canny hour at e'en,
My arms about my dearie, O,
An' warl'ly cares an' warl'ly men
May a' gae tapsalteerie, O!For you sae douce, ye sneer at this,
Ye're nought but senseless asses, O;
The wisest man the warl' e'er saw,
He dearly loved the lasses, O.Auld Nature swears the lovely dears
Her noblest work she classes, O;
Her 'prentice han' she tried on man,
An' then she made the lasses, O.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Green Grow The Rashes: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

“Green grow the rashes, O; Green grow the rashes, O; The sweetest hours that e'er I spend, Are spent amang the lasses, O.”

Robert Burns, Scotland's national bard, was a master of lyrical poetry. His ballads and songs captured the emotions of the common man, using vivid imagery and raw emotions. One of his most beloved works, "Green Grow the Rashes," is a perfect example of his style. It is a timeless ode to the joys of love and companionship, as well as a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life.

Historical Background

"Green Grow the Rashes" was written in 1784, a time of great social upheaval in Scotland. The country was undergoing rapid industrialization, and many traditional ways of life were being lost. Burns, a farmer by trade, was acutely aware of these changes, and his poetry often reflects his concern for the common people. In "Green Grow the Rashes," he celebrates the simple pleasures of life, such as love and friendship, that were being threatened by the march of progress.

Structure and Form

The poem consists of eight stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, giving the poem a musical quality that is enhanced by the repeated refrain of "Green grow the rashes, O." The use of repetition is a common technique in Burns' poetry, and it serves to reinforce the central themes of the poem. The meter is predominantly iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a jaunty, upbeat rhythm.

Interpretation

"Green Grow the Rashes" is a celebration of love and companionship, particularly the love between men and women. The poem opens with the speaker proclaiming that the "sweetest hours" of his life are spent "amang the lasses." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of young couples courting and enjoying each other's company. It is a celebration of the joys of love, and the way it can lift us up and make us feel alive.

However, there is also a sense of melancholy that runs through the poem. The repeated refrain of "Green grow the rashes, O" is a reminder of the transience of life. The "rashes" refer to the rushes that grow in the countryside, which are a symbol of the passing of time. The speaker is aware that these happy moments will not last forever, and that life is fleeting. This sense of impermanence is a common theme in Burns' poetry, and it reflects his belief that we should savor the present moment and not take our blessings for granted.

The poem also reflects Burns' deep empathy for the common people. The young couples in the poem are not aristocrats or wealthy landowners, but ordinary working people. Burns was a champion of the underdog, and his poetry often gives voice to the struggles and aspirations of the working class. In "Green Grow the Rashes," he celebrates the simple pleasures of life that are available to everyone, regardless of their station in life.

Literary Analysis

One of the most striking features of "Green Grow the Rashes" is its use of imagery. Burns was a master of vivid, sensory language, and the poem is filled with memorable images. For example, in the second stanza, he describes the "blythe twinkle in her e'e" as she looks at her lover. This image captures the joy and excitement of young love, and it is a testament to Burns' skill as a poet.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of repetition. The repeated refrain of "Green grow the rashes, O" serves to tie the poem together thematically, while also giving it a musical quality. The use of repetition is a common feature of Burns' poetry, and it reflects his belief in the power of language to shape our emotions and perceptions of the world.

The poem also uses humor and irony to great effect. In the fourth stanza, the speaker jests that his "muse is a hizzie" (i.e. a promiscuous woman), and that he is "often in trim." This tongue-in-cheek attitude is characteristic of Burns' poetry, and it adds a playful dimension to the poem's celebration of love and companionship.

Conclusion

"Green Grow the Rashes" is a timeless ode to the joys of love and companionship, as well as a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life. Its vivid imagery, musical language, and playful humor make it a masterpiece of lyrical poetry. Burns' empathy for the common people is evident throughout the poem, and his celebration of the simple pleasures of life continues to resonate with readers today. In short, "Green Grow the Rashes" is a testament to the enduring power of great poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Green Grow the Rashes is a classic poem written by Robert Burns, a Scottish poet who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. The poem was first published in 1783, and it has since become one of Burns' most famous works. The poem is a celebration of love, friendship, and the joys of life, and it has been interpreted in many different ways over the years.

The poem begins with the line "Green grow the rashes, O!" which is a traditional Scottish phrase that means "green grow the rushes, oh!" The rushes referred to in the phrase are a type of plant that grows in wetlands and marshes, and they were often used as a floor covering in traditional Scottish homes. The phrase "green grow the rashes" is a symbol of growth and renewal, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The first stanza of the poem describes the joys of love and friendship. Burns writes, "Green grow the rashes, O! / Green grow the rashes, O! / The sweetest hours that e'er I spend, / Are spent amang the lasses, O!" The word "lasses" refers to young women, and the stanza suggests that spending time with them is the sweetest thing in life. The stanza also suggests that love and friendship are essential to a happy life.

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of love and friendship. Burns writes, "There's nought but care on ev'ry han', / In ev'ry hour that passes, O! / What signifies the life o' man, / An' 'twere na for the lasses, O!" The stanza suggests that life is full of cares and worries, but the love and companionship of women make it all worthwhile. The stanza also suggests that women are essential to the happiness and well-being of men.

The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the joys of drinking and socializing. Burns writes, "The warly race may riches chase, / An' riches still may fly them, O! / An' tho' at last they catch them fast, / Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, O!" The stanza suggests that the pursuit of wealth and material possessions is ultimately futile, and that true happiness can only be found in the company of friends and the pleasures of life. The stanza also suggests that drinking and socializing are important parts of life, and that they can bring people together in a spirit of camaraderie and joy.

The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of love and friendship. Burns writes, "But gi'e me a canny hour at e'en, / My arms about my dearie, O! / An' warly cares, an' warly men, / May a' gae tapsalteerie, O!" The stanza suggests that spending time with a loved one is the ultimate joy in life, and that it can make all the cares and worries of the world disappear. The stanza also suggests that love and companionship are more important than material possessions or social status.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Burns writes, "For you sae douce, ye sneer at this, / Ye're nought but senseless asses, O! / The wisest man the warl' e'er saw, / He dearly lov'd the lasses, O!" The stanza suggests that those who sneer at the joys of love and friendship are foolish and ignorant, and that the wisest and most successful people in the world have always valued these things. The stanza also suggests that love and companionship are universal human desires, and that they are essential to a happy and fulfilling life.

In conclusion, Green Grow the Rashes is a classic poem that celebrates the joys of love, friendship, and the pleasures of life. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of these things, and it has been interpreted in many different ways over the years. Whether it is seen as a celebration of Scottish culture, a tribute to the joys of drinking and socializing, or a call to value love and companionship above all else, the poem remains a beloved and timeless work of literature.

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