The Gallant Weaver
written in 1791
The Gallant Weaver - meaning Summary
Love Over Wealth and Status
The poem is a simple, direct declaration of romantic choice. The speaker prefers a humble, talented weaver over wealthier suitors and familial expectations. Despite receiving ribbons and rings from many admirers and her father arranging a dowry to favor a landowner, she gives her heart and hand to the weaver. Natural imagery—running rivers, birds, bees, and growing corn—frames her constant affection and reinforces the idea that love, like seasonal growth, is natural and enduring. The tone is plain, celebratory, and resolute about personal loyalty over social advantage.
Read Complete AnalysesWhere Cart rins rowin to the sea, By mony a flower and spreading tree, There lives a lad, the lad for me, He is a gallant Weaver. Oh I had wooers aught or nine, They gied me rings and ribbans fine; And I was fear'd my heart wad tine And I gied it to the Weaver. My daddie sign'd my tocher-band To gie the lad that has the land, But to my heart I'll add my hand And give it to the Weaver. While birds rejoice in leafy bowers, While bees delight in opening flowers, While corn grows green in simmer showers, I love my gallant Weaver.
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