O Steer Her Up
written in 1795
O Steer Her Up - meaning Summary
Courtship in Scots Dialect
Burns' playful song offers practical, humorous advice on rural courtship. Addressing a young suitor, the speaker urges a bold but lighthearted approach: pursue the woman gently, accept rejection without melodrama, and move on if she refuses. The Scots dialect and repetitive, songlike lines create a convivial, communal voice that treats romantic setbacks as ordinary and recoverable. The poem frames love as social practice rather than tragic destiny, encouraging resilience, convivial drinking, and an easy acceptance of shifting affections within a small rural community.
Read Complete AnalysesO steer her up, an' haud her gaun , Her mither's at the mill, jo ; An' gin she winna tak a man, E'en let her tak her will, jo . First shore her wi' a gentle kiss, And ca' anither gill, jo ; An' gin she tak the thing amiss, E'en let her flyte her fill, jo . O steer her up, an' be na blate , An' gin she tak it ill , jo , Then leave the lassie till her fate, And time nae langer spill, jo : Ne'er break your heart for ae rebute , But think upon it still, jo : That gin the lassie winna do't, Ye'll find anither will, jo .
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