The Book of Scottish Song/O, were I on Parnassus

O, were I on Parnassus.

[Burns wrote this impassioned song immediately on settling at Ellisland, in honour of his wife, and as a welcome to her to the new establishment there. It is sung to a plaintive tune by Oswald, called "My love is lost to me." The Rev. Hamilton Paul, in his edition of the poet's works, (Ayr, 1820,) speaks with rapture of the song. "There is nothing," he says, "in the whole circle of lyric poetry, ancient or modern, to be named with it. It bids defiance to comparison." He then quotes the following lines:

"I see thee dancing ower the green,
Thy waist sae jimp, thy limbs sae clean,
Thy tempting lips, thy roguish een—
By heaven and earth, I love thee!"

"This," continues the reverend critic, "is what may be called the paroxysm of desire. He draws the picture from nature,—he becomes enamoured,—he forgets himself,—he pants for breath,—he is unable to continue the description,—and he gives utterance to his feelings in an oath—

"By heaven and earth, I love thee!"

It may be added, that Mrs. Burns excelled in the accomplishment of dancing, and was remarkable, if not for regular beauty, at least for the exquisite symmetry of her person.]

O, were I on Parnassus Hill,
And had of Helicon my fill,
That I might catch poetic skill,
To sing how dear I love thee:
But Nith maun be my Muse's well,
My muse maun be thy bonnie sell,
On Corsincon I'll glowr and spell,
And write how dear I love thee.

Then come, sweet Muse, inspire my lay;
For, a' the lee-lang simmer's day,
I couldna sing, I couldna say,
How much, how dear I love thee.
I see thee dancing ower the green,
Thy waist sae jimp, thy limbs sae clean,
Thy tempting lips, thy roguish een—
By heaven and earth, I love thee!

By night, by day—a-field, at hame—
The thoughts of thee my breast inflame!
And aye I muse and sing thy name—
I only live to love thee.
Though I were doom'd to wander on,
Beyond the sea, beyond the sun,
Till my last weary sand was run,
Till then—and then I'll love thee.

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