Yon Wild Mossy Mountains

By Robert Burns

    Tune - "Yon wild mossy mountains." I.         Yon wild mossy mountains sae lofty and wide,         That nurse in their bosom the youth o' the Clyde,         Where the grouse lead their coveys thro' the heather to feed,         And the shepherd tents his flock as he pipes on his reed.             Where the grouse lead their coveys thro' the heather to feed,             And the shepherd tents his flock as he pipes on his reed. II.         Not Gowrie's rich valleys, nor Forth's sunny shores,         To me hae the charms o' yon wild, mossy moors;         For there, by a lanely and sequester'd stream,         Resides a sweet lassie, my thought and my dream.             For there, by a lanely and sequester'd stream,             Resides a sweet lassie, my thought and my dream. III.         Amang thae wild mountains shall still be my path,         Ilk stream foaming down its ain green, narrow strath;         For there, wi' my lassie, the day lang I rove,         While o'er us unheeded flee the swift hours o' love.             For there wi' my lassie, the day lang I rove,             While o'er us unheeded flee the swift hours o' love. IV.         She is not the fairest, altho' she is fair;         O' nice education but sma' is her share;         Her parentage humble as humble can be;         But I lo'e the dear lassie because she lo'es me.             Her parentage humble as humble can be;             But I lo'e the dear lassie because she lo'es me. V.         To beauty what man but maun yield him a prize,         In her armour of glances, and blushes, and sighs?         And when wit and refinement hae polish'd her darts,         They dazzle our een as they flee to our hearts.             And when wit and refinement hae polish'd her darts,             They dazzle our een, as they flee to our hearts. VI.         But kindness, sweet kindness, in the fond sparkling e'e,         Has lustre outshining the diamond to me:         And the heart beating love as I'm clasp'd in her arms,         O, these are my lassie's all-conquering charms!             And the heart beating love as I'm clasp'd in her arms,             O, these are my lassie's all-conquering charms!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a heartfelt ode to the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape intertwined with a romantic tribute to the speaker's beloved. The use of the Scottish dialect contributes to the authenticity and cultural richness of the piece. The poem employs vivid imagery and descriptive language to bring to life the wild, mossy mountains, the grouse feeding in the heather, and the shepherd tending his flock. The repetition of these imagery-laden lines in each stanza enhances the rhythm and musicality of the poem, reminiscent of a traditional ballad.

The theme of love is as central to the poem as the landscape. The speaker's beloved is described as a simple, humble lass who resides in the midst of this wild, natural beauty. In a creative blend of romantic and pastoral themes, the speaker finds her more captivating than the traditionally attractive attributes of beauty, wit, and refinement. The love expressed here is earnest and reciprocal, based on mutual affection rather than superficial allure. This is evident in the lines, "She is not the fairest, altho' she is fair; Her parentage humble as humble can be; But I lo'e the dear lassie because she lo'es me." The poem, in essence, becomes a celebration of love in its purest form, set against the backdrop of an enchanting natural landscape.

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.