Poems and Songs

The editor/compiler, James Barke, seems to grasp the importance of Burns -- describing his as a "many-sided genius" and selecting so many examples. Still, he fails to link the artist/thinker culture-warrior to the great Liberal movement of which Burns is one of the Founders. He lets the fury fade -- and crosses it -- with the "Jacobin" references.

Not only is this poetry loved, it is universally loved. The editor/compiler notes the following:

There is no more flaming satire than "Holy Willie's Prayer".
There is no greater tale than "Tam o' Shanter".
"If a Man's a Man for a' that" is the Marseillaise of humanity,
and "Auld Lang Syne" is the world's "national" anthem.
There is no more tender love song than "O, My Luve's like a red, red rose".
There is no finer epistle than "Epistle to Davie" [152]
There is nothing in world literature to equal the shattering, liberating cosmology of "Love and Liberty". [1]

Burns laughed the Devil out of Hell "(and-- more difficult--banished him from Scots Presbyterian theology)" and then took pity on Him.

He is the "first poet of common humanity" and "the first to transcend poetry". Does Barke go over the top to say "...there can be no greater poet than Burns"? [10] Where Barke goes overboard is to claim that Burns despised those "who put their trust in party politicians". Not at all -- Burns despised the plutocrats who corrupted the people's representatives. Burns is not a hater of "Government". Burns is a rising Liberal repuke to the plutocrats and the ignorant white males used by the plutocrats to keep themselves in power. This book contains so many, so many examples! "Man to man the world o'er, shall brithers be for a' that."

Of course, Barke is exactly right that Burns wrote for those whose home is in the heart: "The heart ay's the part ay that makes us right or wrang".

The last item:

"ON THE AUTHOR : He who of Rankine sang {in reply to an obituary, p. 246; and Epistle to John Rankine p 152}, lies stiff and deid, And a green, grassy hillock hides his heid: Alas! alas! a devilish change indeed!" ( )

Fantastic collection of a fantastic poet's work: much better and more complete than anything else out there I've seen. It's worth tracking down if you're a Burns fan. ( )

Excellent edition of poetry with biographical details and glossary; Souvenir Edition, 1969, in excellent condition with cover. ISBN number given is printed on dustcover, the last digit is probably capital i not 1 ( )

With Glossary, and Index of Titles/First Lines.

A compendium of work by Scotland's Immortal Bard that covers everything from whiskey and haggis (great chieftain o' the puddin' race) to red roses and loves lost. I always find something new to stir the soul when I crack the covers. Highly recommended. ( )