The Soldier's Return: A Ballad Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCBDEFE GEAEHIJI AKAKLBMB NOIOPEPE IEQEERRR SRRRTRUR IRVRRRRR AEWEWERE| WHEN wild war's deadly blast was blawn | A |
| And gentle peace returning | B |
| Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless | C |
| And mony a widow mourning | B |
| I left the lines and tented field | D |
| Where lang I'd been a lodger | E |
| My humble knapsack a' my wealth | F |
| A poor and honest sodger | E |
| - | |
| - | |
| A leal light heart was in my breast | G |
| My hand unstain'd wi' plunder | E |
| And for fair Scotia hame again | A |
| I cheery on did wander | E |
| I thought upon the banks o' Coil | H |
| I thought upon my Nancy | I |
| I thought upon the witching smile | J |
| That caught my youthful fancy | I |
| - | |
| - | |
| At length I reach'd the bonie glen | A |
| Where early life I sported | K |
| I pass'd the mill and trysting thorn | A |
| Where Nancy aft I courted | K |
| Wha spied I but my ain dear maid | L |
| Down by her mother's dwelling | B |
| And turn'd me round to hide the flood | M |
| That in my een was swelling | B |
| - | |
| - | |
| Wi' alter'd voice quoth I Sweet lass | N |
| Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom | O |
| O happy happy may he be | I |
| That's dearest to thy bosom | O |
| My purse is light I've far to gang | P |
| And fain would be thy lodger | E |
| I've serv'd my king and country lang | P |
| Take pity on a sodger | E |
| - | |
| - | |
| Sae wistfully she gaz'd on me | I |
| And lovelier was than ever | E |
| Quo' she A sodger ance I lo'ed | Q |
| Forget him shall I never | E |
| Our humble cot and hamely fare | E |
| Ye freely shall partake it | R |
| That gallant badge the dear cockade | R |
| Ye're welcome for the sake o't | R |
| - | |
| - | |
| She gaz'd she redden'd like a rose | S |
| Syne pale like only lily | R |
| She sank within my arms and cried | R |
| Art thou my ain dear Willie | R |
| By him who made yon sun and sky | T |
| By whom true love's regarded | R |
| I am the man and thus may still | U |
| True lovers be rewarded | R |
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| - | |
| The wars are o'er and I'm come hame | I |
| And find thee still true hearted | R |
| Tho' poor in gear we're rich in love | V |
| And mair we'se ne'er be parted | R |
| Quo' she My grandsire left me gowd | R |
| A mailen plenish'd fairly | R |
| And come my faithfu' sodger lad | R |
| Thou'rt welcome to it dearly | R |
| - | |
| - | |
| For gold the merchant ploughs the main | A |
| The farmer ploughs the manor | E |
| But glory is the sodger's prize | W |
| The sodger's wealth is honor | E |
| The brave poor sodger ne'er despise | W |
| Nor count him as a stranger | E |
| Remember he's his country's stay | R |
| In day and hour of danger | E |
Robert Burns
(1)
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About The Soldier's Return: A Ballad
The Soldier's Return: A Ballad is a poem by Robert Burns. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.