Rosebud

A Rose-bud by my early walk, 
Adown a corn-enclosed bawk, 
Sae gently bent its thorny stalk, 
All on a dewy morning. 
'Ere twice the shades o' dawn are fled, 
In a' its crimson glory spread, 
And drooping rich the dewy head, 
It scents the early morning. 

Within the bush her covert nest 
A little linnet fondly prest; 
The dew sat chilly on her breast, 
Sae early in the morning. 
She soon shall see her tender brood, 
The pride, the pleasure o' the wood, 
Among the fresh green leaves bedew'd, 
Awake the early morning. 

So thou, dear bird, young Jeany fair, 
On trembling string or vocal air, 
Shall sweetly pay the tender care 
That tents thy early morning. 
So thou, sweet Rose-bud, young and gay, 
Shalt beauteous blaze upon the day, 
And bless the parent's evening ray 
That watch'd thy early morning.



It was the winter of 1887-88.   Robert Burns had returned from his tour of the Highlands, and was recuperating from a badly injured leg.   His host was a Mr Cruikshanks, a teacher at the High School of Edinburgh.   Mr Cruikshanks had a daughter, Jenny, aged 12, who would often play the harpsichord for Burns, and make arrangements of his songs.   This poem/song was composed for her, and represents Burns at his most sensitive and sentimental.   The promise of youth paralleled with the promise of the young bird and the fresh Rosebud encountered on his morning walk.