Wae Is My Heart

By Robert Burns

Lyric Poem
    Tune - "Wae is my heart." I.         Wae is my heart, and the tear's in my e'e;         Lang, lang, joy's been a stranger to me;         Forsaken and friendless, my burden I bear,         And the sweet voice of pity ne'er sounds in my ear. II.         Love, thou hast pleasures, and deep hae I loved;         Love, thou hast sorrows, and sair hae I proved;         But this bruised heart that now bleeds in my breast,         I can feel by its throbbings will soon be at rest. III.         O, if I were happy, where happy I hae been,         Down by yon stream, and yon bonnie castle green;         For there he is wand'ring, and musing on me,         Wha wad soon dry the tear frae his Phillis's e'e.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Lyric Poems
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem is a profound exploration of themes such as love, loss, sorrow, and longing, uttered from the perspective of a speaker who appears to be in the throes of heartbreak. The poet skillfully employs a plaintive tone, mirrored by the rhythmic structure and the repetition of certain phrases, which serve to underscore the speaker's melancholy and despair.

The first stanza introduces us to the speaker's emotional state: isolated and sorrowful, longing for compassion that never comes. In the second stanza, the theme of love's duality is introduced, recognizing its capacity to bring both pleasure and pain. The bleeding, throbbing heart metaphor is particularly striking here, signifying acute emotional suffering but also the inevitability of healing. The third stanza introduces a setting and a specific object of the speaker's affection: a person who is sadly absent but remains present in the speaker's memory and desire. The final lines, filled with a sense of longing and the faintest glimmer of hope, suggest that the speaker's sorrow might be alleviated by this absent lover's return. Overall, the poet's use of dialect, vivid imagery, and emotive language work in harmony to create a resonating and deeply moving piece of poetry.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.