My Heart is A-Breaking, Dear Tittie! (Poem by Robert Burns)

My Heart is A-Breaking, Dear Tittie!

By Robert Burns

(1)

My heart is a-breaking, dear Tittie!

    Some counsel unto me come len’,

To anger them a’ is a pity,

    But what will I do wi’ Tam Glen?

(2)

I’m thinking wi’ sic a braw fellow,

    In poortith I might make a fen’;

What care I in riches to wallow,

    If I maunna marry Tam Glen?

(3)

There’s Lowrie the laird o’ Dumeller,

    “Gude day to you, brute!” he comes ben:

He brags and he blaws o’ his siller,

    But when will he dance like Tam Glen?

(4)

My minnie does constantly deave me,

    And bids me beware o’ young men;

They flatter, she says, to deceive me,

    But wha can think so o’ Tam Glen?

(5)

My daddie says, gin I’ll forsake him,

    He’ll gie me guid hunder marks ten:

But, if it’s ordain’d I maun take him,

    O wha will I get but Tam Glen?

(6)

Yestreen at the Valentine’s dealing,

    My heart to my mou’ gied a sten;

For thrice I drew ane without failing,

    And thrice it was written — Tam Glen.

(7)

The last Halloween I was waukin

    My droukit sark-sleeve, as ye ken;

His likeness cam up the house staukin,

    And the very grey breeks o’ Tam Glen!

(8)

Come counsel, dear Tittie! don’t tarry —

    I’ll gie you my bonnie black hen,

Gif ye will advise me to marry

    The lad that I lo’e dearly, Tam Glen.

Poem Analysis:

Robert Burns, the renowned Scottish poet, masterfully captures the turmoil of love and the pressure of societal expectations in his poem, "My Heart is A-Breaking, Dear Tittie!" The poem's narrator, faced with a choice between love and financial security, seeks counsel from a trusted friend, Tittie. The analysis that follows delves into the themes of love, societal pressure, and the protagonist's inner conflict.

Themes:

1. Love and Passion: The poem centers on the overpowering force of love. The narrator's heartache and longing for Tam Glen illustrate the intensity of her emotions. Love is presented as an irresistible and uncontrollable force.
2. Societal Expectations: The poem highlights the societal norms and pressures that weigh on the narrator. She faces judgment and advice from her family and others, who emphasize the importance of financial security over love. The conflict between these expectations and her desire for love is central to the narrative.
3. Personal Choice and Independence: The poem underscores the importance of personal choice and independence in matters of the heart. The narrator grapples with the decision of whether to follow her heart or conform to societal expectations, demonstrating the tension between individual desires and external pressures.

Structure and Language:

Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a rhymed quatrains (four-line stanzas) structure with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure lends a musical quality to the verses and enhances the poem's emotional impact.

Scots Dialect: Burns employs the Scots dialect, characteristic of his works, to create an authentic and relatable atmosphere. This dialect adds depth to the poem, making it more accessible to those familiar with the regional language.

Imagery: Burns uses vivid imagery, such as "My heart is a-breaking" and "His likeness cam up the house staukin," to evoke the narrator's emotional turmoil and longing for Tam Glen. These images allow readers to empathize with her predicament.

Analysis:

1. The Power of Love: The poem explores the theme of love as an irresistible force that transcends material concerns. Despite the warnings and offers of wealth from her family, the narrator is unable to suppress her love for Tam Glen, emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of love.
2. Societal Pressure: Burns highlights the societal pressure on individuals to prioritize financial security and conform to traditional expectations of marriage. The tension between the narrator's desire for love and the external pressure to consider wealth and stability creates a poignant internal conflict.
3. Personal Agency: The poem ultimately champions personal agency and the importance of following one's heart. The narrator seeks counsel from her friend Tittie, but her choice remains her own. The repetition of Tam Glen's name underscores the depth of her affection and her resolve to marry him.

"My Heart is A-Breaking, Dear Tittie!" by Robert Burns is a heartfelt exploration of love, societal expectations, and personal choice. The poem's emotional depth, conveyed through vivid language and imagery, resonates with readers as it depicts the inner turmoil of the narrator. Burns reminds us of the enduring power of love and the significance of following one's heart, even in the face of external pressures and expectations.