Robert Burns chose June for the setting of one of the loveliest
of floral compliments. In contrast to most of his poems, the recipient of A Red, Red Rose remains anonymous. Below is the complete poem-cum-song, which also reflects scientific advances of the time. It is accompanied by the first and last verses of another fine but lesser-known poem by the bard.
LESLEY DUNCAN
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 art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve 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 wi’ the sun:
I will love thee still, my Dear,
While the sands o’ 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!
O WERE I ON PARNASSUS HILL
O were I on Parnassus hill;
Or had o’ Helicon my fill;
That I might catch poetic skill,
To sing how dear I love thee.
But Nith maun be my Muses well,
My Muse maun be thy bonie sell;
On Corsincon I’ll glowr and spell,
And write how dear I love thee.
By night, by day, a-field, at hame,
The thoughts o’ thee my breast inflame;
And ay I muse and sing thy name,
I only live to love thee.
Tho’ I were doom’d to wander on,
Beyond the sea, beyond the sun,
Till my last, weary sand was run;
Till then – and then I love thee.
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