The Bonie Lad That's Far Awa
written in 1792
The Bonie Lad That's Far Awa - meaning Summary
Longing for an Absent Lover
A speaker laments the absence of a beloved “bonie lad” who is away. Her outward world—winter weather, family rejection, and social hardship—cannot fully explain her sadness; it stems from longing and the memory of the lover’s gifts (gloves and silken snoods). Despite hardship she keeps faith in his return, imagining spring’s arrival and the birth of her child as signs that he will come home. The poem balances present sorrow with hopeful anticipation and loyalty to an absent partner.
Read Complete AnalysesO how can I be blythe and glad, Or how can I gang brisk and braw, When the bonnie lad that I loe best, Is o'er the hills and far awa. [It's no the frosty winter wind, It's no the driving drift and snaw, But ay the tear comes in my e'e, To think on him that's far awa.] My father pat me frae his door, My friends they hae disown'd me a'; But there is ane will take my part, The bonie lad that's far awa. A pair o' gloves he bought to me, And silken snoods he gae me twa, And I will wear them for his sake, The bonie lad that's far awa. O weary winter soon will pass, And spring will cleed the birken shaw: And my young babie will be born, And he'll be hame that's far awa.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.