The Tailor (Poem by Robert Burns)

The Tailor (1)

By Robert Burns

The Tailor fell thro’ the bed, thimbles an’ a’,

The Tailor fell thro’ the bed, thimbles an’ a’;

The blankets were thin, and the sheets they were sma’,

The Tailor fell thro’ the bed, thimbles an’ a’.

The Tailor (2)

The sleepy bit lassie, she dreaded nae ill,

The sleepy bit lassie, she dreaded nae ill;

The weather was cauld, and the lassie lay still,

She thought that a tailor could do her nae ill.

The Tailor (3)

Gie me the groat again, canny young man;

Gie me the groat again, canny young man;

The day it is short, and the night it is lang,

The dearest siller that ever I wan!

The Tailor (4)

There’s somebody weary wi’ lying her lane;

There’s somebody weary wi’ lying her lane;

There’s some that are dowie, I trow would be fain

To see the bit tailor come skippin’ again.

Poem Analysis:

Robert Burns' poem "The Tailor" is a humorous and playful piece, employing a light-hearted tone to narrate the story of a tailor who has an unexpected mishap. The poem uses traditional Scottish dialect and folk motifs to explore themes of romance, social commentary, and the interplay between expectation and reality.

Stanza 1: The Mishap

The Tailor fell thro’ the bed, thimbles an’ a’,

The Tailor fell thro’ the bed, thimbles an’ a’;

The blankets were thin, and the sheets they were sma’,

The Tailor fell thro’ the bed, thimbles an’ a’.

The first stanza sets the comedic tone of the poem with the tailor’s fall through the bed. This humorous event is depicted vividly, highlighting the inadequacy of the bedding ("blankets were thin, and the sheets they were sma'"). The repetition of "thimbles an' a'" emphasizes the tailor’s profession and adds a whimsical touch to the mishap, underscoring the absurdity of the situation.

Stanza 2: The Lassie's Perception

The sleepy bit lassie, she dreaded nae ill,

The sleepy bit lassie, she dreaded nae ill;

The weather was cauld, and the lassie lay still,

She thought that a tailor could do her nae ill.

In the second stanza, we are introduced to a "sleepy bit lassie" who is unaware and unbothered by the tailor’s fall. Her perception is shaped by the cold weather and her assumption that the tailor is harmless ("She thought that a tailor could do her nae ill"). This stanza adds a layer of innocence and naivety, contrasting with the humorous chaos of the previous stanza.

Stanza 3: The Financial Request

Gie me the groat again, canny young man;

Gie me the groat again, canny young man;

The day it is short, and the night it is lang,

The dearest siller that ever I wan!

The third stanza shifts to a financial request from the lassie, asking for the return of a groat (a small sum of money). The repetition of "Gie me the groat again" suggests persistence and urgency. The juxtaposition of "the day it is short, and the night it is lang" emphasizes the lassie’s desire for compensation, perhaps for the discomfort caused by the tailor’s mishap. The phrase "The dearest siller that ever I wan" highlights the value she places on this reimbursement, adding a humorous twist to the economic exchange.

Stanza 4: The Longing

There’s somebody weary wi’ lying her lane;

There’s somebody weary wi’ lying her lane;

There’s some that are dowie, I trow would be fain

To see the bit tailor come skippin’ again.

The final stanza introduces a sense of longing and loneliness. The repetition of "There’s somebody weary wi’ lying her lane" underscores the lassie's solitude and desire for company. The word "dowie" (meaning sad or dismal) adds an emotional depth, suggesting that others in similar situations would welcome the tailor’s return ("would be fain / To see the bit tailor come skippin’ again"). This stanza adds a layer of empathy and human connection to the otherwise humorous narrative.

Themes and Symbolism

• Humor and Absurdity: The poem’s primary theme is humor, achieved through the absurdity of the tailor’s fall and the subsequent events. The comedic mishap is a vehicle for exploring human vulnerability and the unexpected turns of everyday life.
• Social Commentary: Burns subtly weaves social commentary into the poem. The tailor, a figure representing a humble profession, experiences a mishap that reveals the economic struggles and interpersonal dynamics of his social class. The lassie’s request for the groat underscores the importance of financial stability and compensation in their lives.
• Innocence and Naivety: The lassie’s perception of the tailor as harmless and her naivety in the face of the mishap highlight themes of innocence and the unguarded nature of rural life. This contrasts with the underlying reality of economic transactions and personal relationships.

"The Tailor" by Robert Burns is a delightful and multifaceted poem that blends humor with social insight. Through its vivid depiction of a tailor’s fall and the reactions of those involved, Burns explores themes of vulnerability, economic necessity, and human connection. The poem’s light-hearted tone and traditional Scottish dialect enhance its charm, making it a memorable and thought-provoking piece.