Scottish poet Robbie Burns was inspired to write these lines by his attraction to Margaret Thomson. The poem underwent minor changes when he later fell for Jean Armour.
lyrics
Now westlin winds and slaught'ring guns
Bring Autumn's pleasant weather;
The moorcock springs on whirring wings
Amang the blooming heather:
Now waving grain, wide o'er the plain,
Delights the weary farmer;
And the moon shines bright, when I rove at night,
To muse upon my charmer.
The partridge loves the fruitful fells,
The plover loves the mountains;
The woodcock haunts the lonely dells,
The soaring hern the fountains:
Thro' lofty groves the cushat roves,
The path of man to shun it;
The hazel bush o'erhangs the thrush,
The spreading thorn the linnet.
Thus ev'ry kind their pleasure find,
The savage and the tender;
Some social join, and leagues combine,
Some solitary wander:
Avaunt, away! the cruel sway,
Tyrannic man's dominion;
The sportsman's joy, the murd'ring cry,
The flutt'ring, gory pinion!
But, Peggy dear, the ev'ning's clear,
Thick flies the skimming swallow,
The sky is blue, the fields in view,
All fading green and yellow:
Come let us stray our gladsome way,
And view the charms of Nature;
The rustling corn, the fruited thorn,
And ev'ry happy creature.
We'll gently walk, and sweetly talk,
Till the silent moon shine clearly;
I'll grasp thy waist, and, fondly prest,
Swear how I love thee dearly:
Not vernal show'rs to budding flow'rs,
Not Autumn to the farmer,
So dear can be as thou to me,
My fair, my lovely charmer!
credits
from Song Brother,
track released October 16, 2022
Words: Robbie Burns, c. 1783
Tune: Trad. Scottish, Port Gordon
Soprano: Sophie Moore
Tenor: Anthony Woolcott
Bass: Miguel Heatwole
Miguel’s a versatile singer, choral director & composer. His interests include folk & world music, political satire, the
environment, trade unionism & the responsible enjoyment of alcohol. His songwriting embraces themes like peace & justice, the family cat, & visceral passionate attraction. His enthusiasm for recording community singing has let many people share the power of their songs....more
Kris Demeanour, a profoundly impressive poet, player and singer, came to Australia years ago.. Most of his stuff isn't on Bandcamp. Find him on the compilation albums and go looking elsewhere online! Miguel Heatwole
These guys are formidable folk singers I've been privileged to know for many years, way back when they were in their (roaring) forties! Miguel Heatwole
Proceeds from this excellent new darkambient/neofolk comp from LEFT/FOLK goes to benefit American Near East Refugee Aid. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 10, 2024
The freak-folk collective's debut is full of rich, haunted vocals and experimental melodies derived from more traditional idioms Bandcamp Album of the Day Nov 9, 2021