Man was Made to Mourn (Poem by Robert Burns)

Man was Made to Mourn

By Robert Burns

A Dirge

When chill November’s surly blast
    Made fields and forests bare,
One ev’ning as I wandered forth
    Along the banks of Ayr,
I spy’d a man whose aged step
    Seem’d weary, worn with care;
His face was furrow’d o’er with years,
    And hoary was his hair.

“Young stranger, whither wand’rest thou?”
    Began the rev’rend sage;
“Does thirst of wealth thy step constrain,
    Or youthful pleasure’s rage?
Or haply, prest with cares and woes,
    Too soon thou hast began
To wander forth, with me to mourn
    The miseries of man.

“The sun that overhangs yon moors,
    Out-spreading far and wide,
Where hundreds labour to support
    A haughty lordling’s pride:
I’ve seen yon weary winter-sun
    Twice forty times return,
And ev’ry time had added proofs
    That man was made to mourn.

“O man! while in thy early years,
    How prodigal of time!
Misspending all thy precious hours,
    Thy glorious youthful prime!
Alternate follies take the sway;
    Licentious passions burn;
Which tenfold force gives nature’s law,
    That man was made to mourn.

“Look not alone on youthful prime,
    Or manhood’s active might;
Man then is useful to his kind,
    Supported in his right:
But see him on the edge of life,
    With cares and sorrows worn;
Then age and want — oh! ill-match’d pair! — 
    Show man was made to mourn.

“A few seem favorites of fate,
    In pleasure’s lap carest:
Yet, think not all the rich and great
    Are likewise truly blest.
But, oh! what crowds in every land,
    All wretched and forlorn!
Thro’ weary life this lesson learn — 
    That man was made to mourn.

“Many and sharp the num’rous ills
    Inwoven with our frame!
More pointed still we make ourselves,
    Regret, remorse, and shame!
And man, whose heaven-erected face
    The smiles of love adorn,
Man’s inhumanity to man
    Makes countless thousands mourn!

“See yonder poor, o’erlabour’d wight,
    So abject, mean, and vile,
Who begs a brother of the earth
    To give him leave to toil;
And see his lordly fellow-worm
    The poor petition spurn,
Unmindful, though a weeping wife
    And helpless offspring mourn.

“If I’m design’d yon lordling’s slave — 
    By Nature’s law design’d — 
Why was an independent wish
    E’er planted in my mind?
If not, why am I subject to
    His cruelty or scorn?
Or why has man the will and power
    To make his fellow mourn?

“Yet, let not this too much, my son,
    Disturb thy youthful breast;
This partial view of human-kind
    Is surely not the best!
The poor, oppressed, honest man
    Had never, sure, been born,
Had there not been some recompense
    To comfort those that mourn!

“O Death! the poor man’s dearest friend — 
    The kindest and the best!
Welcome the hour, my aged limbs
    Are laid with thee at rest!
The great, the wealthy, fear thy blow,
    From pomp and pleasure torn!
But, oh! a blest relief to those
    That weary-laden mourn.”

Poem Analysis:

Robert Burns’ Man was Made to Mourn: A Dirge is a deeply reflective and somber meditation on human suffering, social injustice, and the inevitability of death. Written in 1784, this poem explores the harsh realities of life — poverty, inequality, and moral corruption — while offering a philosophical contemplation on the purpose of existence and the consolation of death. Through the voice of an aged “reverend sage,” Burns presents a narrative that critiques societal structures and expresses compassion for the suffering of common humanity.

The poem is structured as a dialogue between a young wanderer and an old man whom he meets along the banks of the River Ayr. The old man serves as a moral guide, sharing his wisdom and hard-earned insights about the human condition. The refrain-like statement, “Man was made to mourn,” resonates throughout the poem, functioning both as a lament and a thematic anchor.

Themes

1. Human Suffering and Injustice

Central to the poem is the assertion that life is fraught with misery. Burns portrays suffering not as an anomaly but as an intrinsic part of human existence. The image of the laborer toiling for the “haughty lordling’s pride” highlights the vast economic and social inequalities of 18th-century Scotland:

“See yonder poor, o’erlabour’d wight,

So abject, mean, and vile,

Who begs a brother of the earth

To give him leave to toil.”

This critique of class oppression — the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy — underscores Burns’ sympathy for the common man. The old man laments the cruelty of “man’s inhumanity to man,” a line that has become one of Burns’ most enduring aphorisms.

2. The Transience of Life

The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and vitality. The sage reminds the listener that while youth is marked by energy and promise, it often gives way to “cares and sorrows” in old age:

“But see him on the edge of life,

With cares and sorrows worn;

Then age and want — oh! ill-match’d pair! —

Show man was made to mourn.”

Life’s progression from vitality to decline is presented as inevitable, emphasizing the universal human experience of aging and loss.

3. The Consolation of Death

Despite its bleak portrayal of life, the poem ultimately suggests that death brings a form of peace and liberation, particularly for the poor and weary:

“O Death! the poor man’s dearest friend —

The kindest and the best!”

This line captures Burns’ view of death as a release from suffering rather than something to be feared. In contrast to the wealthy, who dread the loss of their “pomp and pleasure,” the poor find solace in death’s promise of rest.

4. The Search for Meaning and Justice

The sage questions the fairness of human existence:

“If I’m design’d yon lordling’s slave —

By Nature’s law design’d —

Why was an independent wish

E’er planted in my mind?”

This reflection touches on larger philosophical questions about free will, divine justice, and the natural order. Burns suggests that while life is often unjust, there may be a “recompense” beyond the mortal world that provides comfort for those who endure hardship.

Tone and Mood

The tone of Man was Made to Mourn is somber, reflective, and at times indignant. Burns blends pathos with moral outrage, particularly when discussing the exploitation of the poor. The mood is melancholic but not entirely hopeless. While much of the poem dwells on suffering and injustice, the final stanzas suggest that there may be consolation — if not in life, then in death or a higher moral reckoning.

Imagery and Symbolism

1. Nature as a Setting for Reflection

The poem begins with a vivid autumnal image:

“When chill November’s surly blast

Made fields and forests bare.”

The barrenness of the landscape mirrors the desolation of the old man’s reflections. November, a month associated with decay and the onset of winter, symbolizes the decline of life and the inevitability of death.

2. The Aged Sage

The old man functions as a symbol of wisdom and experience. His furrowed face and weary step reflect both personal suffering and the collective struggles of humanity. Through his voice, Burns gives authority to the poem’s moral and philosophical insights.

3. Man’s Inhumanity to Man

This phrase encapsulates the poem’s core critique of human society. It serves as both a condemnation of social inequality and a broader commentary on the cruelty and selfishness that perpetuate human suffering.

4. Death as a Friend

Burns personifies death not as a terrifying force but as a kind and liberating presence. For the oppressed, death is the “dearest friend,” offering freedom from toil and sorrow.

Philosophical Undertones

Burns engages with questions about the purpose of suffering and the moral structure of the universe. The repeated refrain that “man was made to mourn” can be read both literally and ironically. While the poem acknowledges life’s hardships, it also challenges the idea that suffering is an immutable condition. The old man’s reference to a possible “recompense” for the poor suggests a belief in divine justice or an afterlife where wrongs are righted.

The poem’s exploration of social injustice also reflects Burns’ humanist values. His sympathy for the common laborer and his critique of aristocratic privilege align with the broader Enlightenment ideals of equality and dignity for all.

Form and Language

Burns employs simple yet powerful language, using a conversational tone that makes the sage’s wisdom feel accessible and heartfelt. The rhythm of the lines, combined with their regular rhyme scheme, gives the poem a musical quality, akin to a traditional Scottish ballad or lament.

The use of direct address (“Young stranger, whither wand’rest thou?”) draws the reader into the dialogue, making the poem’s moral lessons feel immediate and personal. Burns’ mastery of repetition, especially with the refrain-like “man was made to mourn,” reinforces the poem’s central themes and adds to its elegiac quality.

Man was Made to Mourn stands as one of Robert Burns’ most profound and socially conscious works. Through its blend of personal reflection, social critique, and philosophical inquiry, the poem addresses universal themes of suffering, inequality, and mortality. While its tone is undeniably melancholic, Burns offers glimpses of consolation in the form of death’s peace and the hope of a moral reckoning beyond life.

The enduring power of the poem lies in its ability to balance empathy for the oppressed with a broader meditation on the human condition. Its famous line, “Man’s inhumanity to man / Makes countless thousands mourn,” remains a timeless indictment of the cruelty that persists across generations.