Blythe Hae I Been

By Robert Burns

Ballad
    Tune - "Liggeram Cosh." I.         Blythe hae I been on yon hill             As the lambs before me;         Careless ilka thought and free             As the breeze flew o'er me.         Now nae langer sport and play,             Mirth or sang can please me;         Lesley is sae fair and coy,             Care and anguish seize me. II.         Heavy, heavy is the task,             Hopeless love declaring:         Trembling, I dow nocht but glow'r,             Sighing, dumb, despairing!         If she winna ease the thraws             In my bosom swelling,         Underneath the grass-green sod             Soon maun be my dwelling.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a poignant exploration of the themes of love, longing, and despair. The unnamed speaker presents a stark contrast between his carefree past and his present state of emotional turmoil, brought about by unrequited love. The transition in tone from the light-hearted reminiscence of the first stanza to the deep melancholy of the second stanza underscores this transformation.

The structure of the poem, divided into two distinct parts, further emphasizes the dichotomy between joy and despair. The poet's use of the Scottish dialect imbues the poem with a sense of authenticity and raw emotion, while the pastoral imagery serves as an effective backdrop to the speaker's inner tumult. The final lines of the poem, hinting at the speaker's consideration of death as an escape from his suffering, adds a layer of tragic intensity. The poem vividly captures the human experience of unrequited love and the despair it can engender, using evocative language and imagery to convey the speaker's emotional journey.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.