Robert Burns Club of Milwaukee

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A Red, Red Rose and Banks O' Doon

Poems of the Month for January, 2000

Contributed by David M. Arnold

As Webmaster, I have received a number of requests (presumably from students) for analyses of Burns's poems. While it is not part of the charter of The Robert Burns Club of Milwaukee to do research for others, I think it is reasonable to point such requests in the right direction. So, for January, 2000 I am submitting a Poem of the Month Twofer: A Red, Red Rose and Banks O' Doon.

A Red, Red Rose

I have received a number of requests for explanations into the meaning of Burns's A Red, Red Rose. These requests suprised me a bit, since the poem is to my eyes one of Burns's more transparent. However, I'll pass along some comments contained in Alan Bold's A Burns Companion:

So there! Even a straight-forward love song contains substantial grist for the academic mill. It should be remembered that Burns's more important contribution was the nearly single-handed rescue of the Scottish folk song tradition (more aptly described in the Burns Biography contained in our Site). Thanks to Club president Linda Daly for passing along Bold's comments.

Banks O' Doon

I suppose I can understand this song being a little confusing without knowing the "back story". Banks O' Doon is another example of the Scots ability to celebrate a tragedy with a gentle and beautiful song. This particular tragedy is the story of a fair maiden who gave her love to a young laird who turned out to be a scoundrel and who abandoned her after having his way with her. The maiden then committed suicide.

What fascinates me about "Banks O' Doon" is that three of Burns's versions have been passed down. Version 1 and Version 2 give stronger hints to the song's protagonist and her fate; version 3 is the one most of us know. And, version 3 is the better song, with its message of despair more oblique among the placid imagery of the river Doon, the birds chirping and the fragrant flowers blooming.

References:
1) Bold, Alan, A Burns Companion, St. Martin's Press, NYC, 1991, p334
--David M. Arnold, December 1999

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