My Bonie Bell
written in 1791
My Bonie Bell - fact Summary
Addressed to Nancy Mclehose
Written in 1791, this short pastoral poem is a personal address by Robert Burns to his close friend and possible love interest Nancy McLehose, whom he called "Clarinda." Using seasonal imagery—spring's return, summer and autumn, then winter—Burns contrasts the cyclical changes of nature with the speaker’s steadfast affection. The poem frames the beloved as a constant amid time’s changes, converting conventional natural description into a declaration of unwavering devotion.
Read Complete AnalysesThe smiling Spring comes in rejoicing, And surly Winter grimly flies; Now crystal clear are the falling waters, And bonie blue are the sunny skies. Fresh o'er the mountains breaks forth the morning, The ev'ning gilds the ocean's swell; All creatures joy in the sun's returning, And I rejoice in my bonie Bell. The flowery Spring leads sunny Summer, The yellow Autumn presses near; Then in his turn comes gloomy Winter, Till smiling Spring again appear: Thus seasons dancing, life advancing, Old Time and Nature their changes tell; But never ranging, still unchanging, I adore my bonie Bell. The smiling spring comes in rejoicing, And surly winter grimly flies; Now crystal clear are the falling waters, And bonny blue are the sunny skies. Fresh o'er the mountains breaks forth the morning, The ev'ning gilds the Ocean's swell; All Creatures joy in the sun's returning, And I rejoice in my Bonie Bell. The flowery Spring leads sunny Summer, The yellow Autumn presses near, Then in his turn comes gloomy Winter, Till smiling Spring again appear. Thus seasons dancing, life advancing, Old Time and Nature their changes tell; But never ranging, still unchanging, I adore my Bonie Bell.
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