My Nanie, O
written in 1783
My Nanie, O - meaning Summary
Devotion Across Simple Life
This short lyric presents a country lover who braves wind and rain to visit Nanie. He celebrates her physical beauty and moral purity, stressing her straightforwardness and resistance to flattering suitors. The speaker contrasts his humble social position and meagre means with his emotional wealth: steady work, simple pleasures, and undivided devotion. The poem emphasizes constancy, rural routines, and acceptance of whatever fate sends, framing love as a stabilizing, almost sacred refuge in an ordinary pastoral life.
Read Complete AnalysesBehind yon hills where Lugar flows, 'Mang moors an' mosses many, O, The wintry sun the day has clos'd, And I'll awa to Nanie, O. The westlin wind blaws loud an' shill; The night's baith mirk and rainy, O; But I'll get my plaid an' out I'll steal, An' owre the hill to Nanie, O. My Nanie's charming, sweet, an' young; Nae artfu' wiles to win ye, O: May ill befa' the flattering tongue That wad beguile my Nanie, O. Her face is fair, her heart is true, As spotless as she's bonie, O: The op'ning gowan, wat wi' dew, Nae purer is than Nanie, O. A country lad is my degree, An' few there be that ken me, O; But what care I how few they be, I'm welcome ay to Nanie, O. My riches a's my penny-fee, An' I maun guide it cannie, O; But warl's gear ne'er troubles me, My thoughts are a' my Nanie, O. Our auld Guidman delights to view His sheep an' kye thrive bonie, O; But I'm as blythe that hands his pleugh, An' has nae care but Nanie, O. Come weel come woe, I care na by, I'll tak what Heav'n will sen' me, O; Nae ither care in life have I, But live, an' love my Nanie, O.
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