Dusty Miller
written in 1788
Dusty Miller - meaning Summary
Rural Flirtation Over Trade
"Dusty Miller" sketches a playful, earthy encounter between the speaker and a miller. The repeated image of dust—on his coat, sack and kiss—captures the miller’s physical labour and rustic appeal. The song contrasts small sums of money and barter with bodily exchange: the miller "wins a shilling" or spends a groat, while the speaker values his kiss and even offers a coat for him. The tone is teasing and celebratory of working‑class desire, treating material thrift and sexual attraction as intertwined parts of rural life.
Read Complete AnalysesHey the dusty Miller, And his dusty coat; He will win a shilling Or he spend a groat: Dusty was the coat, Dusty was the colour; Dusty was the kiss That I gat frae the Miller. Hey, the dusty Miller, And his dusty sack; Leeze me on the calling Fills the dusty peck: Fills the dusty peck, Brings the dusty siller; I wad gie my coatie For the dusty Miller.
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