The Heron Ballads (Poem by Robert Burns)

The Heron Ballads

Ballad Second

By Robert Burns

(1)

Fy, let us a’ to Kirkcudbright,

    For there will be bickerin’ there;

For Murray’s [1] light horse are to muster,

    And O, how the heroes will swear!

An’ there will be Murray commander,

    And Gordon [2] the battle to win;

Like brothers they’ll stand by each other,

    Sae knit in alliance an’ kin.

(2)

An’ there will be black-lippit Johnnie, [3]

    The tongue o’ the trump to them a’;

And he get na hell for his haddin’

    The deil gets na justice ava’;

And there will Kempleton’s birkie,

    A boy no sae black at the bane,

But, as for his fine nabob fortune,

    We’ll e’en let the subject alane.

(3)

An’ there will be Wigton’s new sheriff,

    Dame Justice fu’ brawlie has sped,

She’s gotten the heart of a Bushby,

    But, Lord, what’s become o’ the head?

An’ there will be Cardoness, [4] Esquire,

    Sae mighty in Cardoness’ eyes;

A wight that will weather damnation,

    For the devil the prey will despise.

(4)

An’ there will be Douglasses [5] doughty,

    New christ’ning towns far and near;

Abjuring their democrat doings,

    By kissing the — — o’ a peer;

An’ there will be Kenmure [6] sae gen’rous,

    Whose honour is proof to the storm,

To save them from stark reprobation,

    He lent them his name to the firm.

(5)

But we winna mention Redcastle, [7]

    The body, e’en let him escape!

He’d venture the gallows for siller,

    An’ ’twere na the cost o’ the rape.

An’ where is our king’s lord lieutenant,

    Sae fam’d for his gratefu’ return?

The billie is gettin’ his questions,

    To say in St. Stephen’s the morn.

(6)

An’ there will be lads o’ the gospel,

    Muirhead, [8] wha’s as gude as he’s true;

An’ there will be Buittle’s [9] apostle,

    Wha’s more o’ the black than the blue;

An’ there will be folk from St. Mary’s, [10]

    A house o’ great merit and note,

The deil ane but honours them highly, — 

    The deil ane will gie them his vote!

(7)

An’ there will be wealthy young Richard, [11]

    Dame Fortune should hing by the neck;

For prodigal, thriftless, bestowing,

    His merit had won him respect:

An’ there will be rich brother nabobs,

    Tho’ nabobs, yet men of the first,

An’ there will be Collieston’s [12] whiskers,

    An’ Quintin, o’ lads not the worst.

(8)

An’ there will be stamp-office Johnnie, [13]

    Tak’ tent how ye purchase a dram;

An’ there will be gay Cassencarrie,

    An’ there will be gleg Colonel Tam;

An’ there will be trusty Kerroughtree, [14]

    Whose honour was ever his law,

If the virtues were pack’d in a parcel,

    His worth might be sample for a’.

(9)

An’ can we forget the auld major,

    Wha’ll ne’er be forgot in the Greys,

Our flatt’ry we’ll keep for some other,

    Him only ’tis justice to praise.

An’ there will be maiden Kilkerran,

    And also Barskimming’s gude knight,

An’ there will be roarin’ Birtwhistle,

    Wha luckily roars in the right.

(10)

An’ there, frae the Niddisdale borders,

    Will mingle the Maxwells in droves;

Teugh Johnnie, staunch Geordie, an’ Walie,

    That griens for the fishes an’ loaves;

An’ there will be Logan Mac Douall, [15]

    Sculdudd’ry an’ he will be there,

An’ also the wild Scot of Galloway,

    Sodgerin’, gunpowder Blair.

(11)

Then hey the chaste interest o’ Broughton,

    An’ hey for the blessings ’twill bring?

It may send Balmaghie to the Commons,

    In Sodom ’twould make him a king;

An’ hey for the sanctified M — — y,

    Our land who wi’ chapels has stor’d;

He founder’d his horse among harlots,

    But gied the auld naig to the Lord.

FOOTNOTES:

1. Murray, of Broughton and Caillie.
2. Gordon of Balmaghie.
3. Bushby, of Tinwald-Downs.
4. Maxwell, of Cardoness.
5. The Douglasses, of Orchardtown and Castle-Douglas.
6. Gordon, afterwards Viscount Kenmore.
7. Laurie, of Redcastle.
8. Morehead, Minister of Urr.
9. The Minister of Buittle.
10. Earl of Selkirk’s family.
11. Oswald, of Auchuncruive.
12. Copland, of Collieston and Blackwood.
13. John Syme, of the Stamp-office.
14. Heron, of Kerroughtree.
15. Colonel Macdouall, of Logan.

Poem Analysis:

"The Heron Ballads" by Robert Burns is a series of satirical poems that humorously critique the social and political landscape of 18th-century Scotland. Through witty language and sharp observations, Burns sheds light on the various personalities, alliances, and intrigues that characterize the political scene of his time. Here is an analysis of the key themes and elements in "The Heron Ballads":

Political Satire: Burns employs satire to poke fun at the politicians and figures of authority in Scotland. He caricatures them, highlighting their flaws, vices, and absurdities. The poem ridicules their ambition, hypocrisy, and self-interest, revealing the less-than-admirable traits behind their public personas.

Regional and Social Commentary: Through references to specific regions and individuals, Burns offers commentary on the regional dynamics and social hierarchy prevalent in Scotland. He portrays the interactions and rivalries between different factions, highlighting the complexities of Scottish society during his time.

Character Sketches: Each stanza introduces a new character or group of characters, providing brief but vivid descriptions that capture their personalities and reputations. From Murray's light horse to Redcastle's questionable integrity, Burns creates a colorful cast of characters that embody various aspects of Scottish society and politics.

Irony and Humor: Burns employs irony and humor to lampoon the absurdities and contradictions inherent in political life. He exposes the gap between appearance and reality, showing how individuals project an image of respectability and honor while engaging in questionable practices behind the scenes.

Moral Critique: Beneath the humor and satire, Burns offers a subtle moral critique of the political establishment. He highlights the moral bankruptcy of certain politicians and the corruption that pervades the corridors of power. Through his sharp wit and keen observation, Burns invites readers to reflect on the nature of political integrity and public service.

Cultural and Literary Allusions: The poem is rich in cultural and literary allusions, drawing on Scottish history, folklore, and language. Burns references specific places, events, and figures from Scottish history, adding depth and texture to his satirical portrayal of contemporary politics.

In conclusion, "The Heron Ballads" by Robert Burns is a masterful blend of humor, satire, and social commentary. Through its colorful characters and witty observations, the poem offers a lively and insightful portrayal of Scottish politics and society during the late 18th century. Burns's keen insight and sharp wit continue to resonate with readers, making "The Heron Ballads" a timeless work of satirical literature.