Bonnie Lassie, Will Ye Go.

By Robert Burns

Ballad
    Tune - "The birks of Aberfeldy." Chorus.         Bonnie lassie, will ye go,         Will ye go, will ye go;         Bonnie lassie, will ye go             To the birks of Aberfeldy? I.         Now simmer blinks on flowery braes,         And o'er the crystal streamlet plays;         Come let us spend the lightsome days             In the birks of Aberfeldy. II.         The little birdies blithely sing,         While o'er their heads the hazels hing,         Or lightly flit on wanton wing             In the birks of Aberfeldy. III.         The braes ascend, like lofty wa's,         The foamy stream deep-roaring fa's,         O'erhung wi' fragrant spreading shaws,             The birks of Aberfeldy. IV.         The hoary cliffs are crown'd wi' flowers,         White o'er the linns the burnie pours,         And rising, weets wi' misty showers             The birks of Aberfeldy. V.         Let Fortune's gifts at random flee,         They ne'er shall draw a wish frae me,         Supremely blest wi' love and thee,             In the birks of Aberfeldy.                     Bonnie lassie, will ye go,                     Will ye go, will ye go;                     Bonnie lassie, will ye go                         To the birks of Aberfeldy?

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, set to the tune of "The birks of Aberfeldy," is a romantic pastoral piece that uses the appeal of nature to court a beloved. The chorus, repeated throughout, is an inviting and playful refrain that carries a sense of longing and desire. The speaker is not just asking the 'bonnie lassie' to accompany him physically to Aberfeldy, but to join him in an idyllic world where they can bask in the beauty of nature and their love for each other.

The poem’s structure, with its regular verses followed by the chorus, gives it a song-like quality, which emphasizes its theme of love and courtship. The vivid imagery of summer, birds, forests, waterfalls, and cliffs, coupled with the use of Scottish dialect, creates a strong sense of place, grounding the romantic sentiments in a tangible, physical world. Meanwhile, the tone throughout is one of earnestness and sincerity, reflecting the speaker's deep affection and commitment to his beloved. The final verse's dismissal of Fortune's gifts in favor of love and companionship reinforces the theme of love as the ultimate fulfillment. The use of alliteration, repetition, and internal rhymes throughout the poem further enhances its lyrical quality, making it feel like a melodic serenade. The persona's consistency in asking the 'Bonnie Lassie' to join him in Aberfeldy also reflects his persistent pursuit of love.

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.