My Father Was A Farmer. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BACADADA EAFAGA A HAIAGAJA K GALAGAMA K ANAAAGA OAHABAHA PAQAGAGA RASAGATA L BALALAQA| Tune The Weaver and his Shuttle O | A |
| - | |
| - | |
| I | - |
| - | |
| My father was a farmer | B |
| Upon the Carrick border O | A |
| And carefully he bred me | C |
| In decency and order O | A |
| He bade me act a manly part | D |
| Though I had ne'er a farthing O | A |
| For without an honest manly heart | D |
| No man was worth regarding O | A |
| - | |
| II | - |
| - | |
| Then out into the world | E |
| My course I did determine O | A |
| Tho' to be rich was not my wish | F |
| yet to be great was charming O | A |
| My talents they were not the worst | G |
| Nor yet my education O | A |
| Resolv'd was I at least to try | - |
| To mend my situation O | A |
| - | |
| III | - |
| - | |
| In many a way and vain essay | H |
| I courted fortune's favour O | A |
| Some cause unseen still stept between | I |
| To frustrate each endeavour O | A |
| Sometimes by foes I was o'erpower'd | G |
| Sometimes by friends forsaken O | A |
| And when my hope was at the top | J |
| I still was worst mistaken O | A |
| - | |
| IV | K |
| - | |
| Then sore harass'd and tir'd at last | G |
| With fortune's vain delusion O | A |
| I dropt my schemes like idle dreams | L |
| And came to this conclusion O | A |
| The past was bad and the future hid | G |
| Its good or ill untried O | A |
| But the present hour was in my pow'r | M |
| And so I would enjoy it O | A |
| - | |
| V | K |
| - | |
| No help nor hope nor view had I | - |
| Nor person to befriend me O | A |
| So I must toil and sweat and broil | N |
| And labour to sustain me O | A |
| To plough and sow to reap and mow | A |
| My father bred me early O | A |
| For one he said to labour bred | G |
| Was a match for fortune fairly O | A |
| - | |
| VI | - |
| - | |
| Thus all obscure unknown and poor | O |
| Thro' life I'm doom'd to wander O | A |
| Till down my weary bones I lay | H |
| In everlasting slumber O | A |
| No view nor care but shun whate'er | B |
| Might breed me pain or sorrow O | A |
| I live to day as well's I may | H |
| Regardless of to morrow O | A |
| - | |
| VII | - |
| - | |
| But cheerful still I am as well | P |
| As a monarch in a palace O | A |
| Tho' Fortune's frown still hunts me down | Q |
| With all her wonted malice O | A |
| I make indeed my daily bread | G |
| But ne'er can make it farther O | A |
| But as daily bread is all I need | G |
| I do not much regard her O | A |
| - | |
| VIII | - |
| - | |
| When sometimes by my labour | R |
| I earn a little money O | A |
| Some unforeseen misfortune | S |
| Comes gen'rally upon me O | A |
| Mischance mistake or by neglect | G |
| Or my goodnatur'd folly O | A |
| But come what will I've sworn it still | T |
| I'll ne'er be melancholy O | A |
| - | |
| IX | L |
| - | |
| All you who follow wealth and power | B |
| With unremitting ardour O | A |
| The more in this you look for bliss | L |
| You leave your view the farther O | A |
| Had you the wealth Potosi boasts | L |
| Or nations to adorn you O | A |
| A cheerful honest hearted clown | Q |
| I will prefer before you O | A |
Robert Burns
(1)
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About My Father Was A Farmer.
My Father Was A Farmer. is a poem by Robert Burns. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
