Epitaph on Holy Willie
written in 1785
Epitaph on Holy Willie - meaning Summary
Hypocrisy Exposed in Epitaph
This satirical epitaph targets a real, self-righteous Presbyterian elder, William Fisher ("Holy Willie"). Burns adopts a mock-judicial voice to expose religious hypocrisy, imagining the deceased judged more fit for the devil than for mercy. The poem ridicules sanctimonious piety by speaking directly to infernal figures and by treating the burial as a moral indictment rather than a solemn farewell. Its blunt, ironic tone and Scots diction heighten the denunciation, turning a traditional epitaph into a public moral rebuke.
Read Complete AnalysesHere Holy Willie's sair worn clay Taks up its last abode; His saul has ta'en some other way, I fear, the left-hand road. Stop! there he is, as sure's a gun, Poor, silly body, see him; Nae wonder he's as black's the grun, Observe wha's standing wi' him. Your brunstane devilship, I see, Has got him there before ye; But haud your nine-tail cat a wee, Till ance you've heard my story. Your pity I will not implore, For pity ye have nane; Justice, alas! has gi'en him o'er, And mercy's day is gane. But hear me, Sir, deil as ye are, Look something to your credit; A coof like him wad stain your name, If it were kent ye did it.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.