030 Corn Rigs Are Bonie
Tune: Corn Rigs
Chorus
Corn rigs, an' barley rigs,
An' corn rigs are bonie:
I'll ne'er forget that happy night,
Amang the rigs wi' Annie.
1.
It was upon a Lammas night,
When corn rigs are bonie,
Beneath the moon's unclouded light,
I held awa to Annie;
The time flew by, wi' tentless heed;
Till, 'tween the late and early,
Wi' sma' persuasion she agreed
To see me thro' the barley.
2.
The sky was blue, the wind was still,
The moon was shining clearly;
I set her down, wi' right good will,
Amang the rigs o' barley:
I ken't her heart was a' my ain;
I lov'd her most sincerely;
I kiss'd her owre and owre again,
Amang the rigs o' barley.
3.
I lock'd her in my fond embrace;
Her heart was beating rarely:
My blessings on that happy place,
Amang the rigs o' barley!
But by the moon and stars so bright,
That shone that hour so clearly!
She ay shall bless that happy night
Amang the rigs o' barley.
4.
I hae been blythe wi' comrades dear;
I hae been merry drinking;
I hae been joyfu' gath'rin gear;
I hae been happy thinking:
But a' the pleasures e'er I saw,
Tho' three times doubl'd fairly—
That happy night was worth them a',
Amang the rigs o' barley.
Notes
Title Corn Rigs Are Bonie: Also called “The Rigs O' Barley”. Grain Rows Are Lovely
This song is about a reminiscence of a love experience that took place between the rigs of barley. It has been regarded as one of Burns' most popular songs, the lyric of which matches traditional music perfectly. Annie was the daughter of John Rankine. This poem was first printed in 1786.
Chorus
Line 1 an' barley: and barley
Line 3 ne'er: never
Line 4 Amang: among; wi': with
Stanza 1
Line 1 Lammas: harvest festival on August 1st
Line 4 awa: away
Line 5 wi' tentless heed: with carefree attention
Line 6 'tween: between;late and early: dark and dawn
Line 7 Wi' sma': with small
Line 8 thro': through
Stanza 2
Line 3 wi': with
Line 5 ken't: knew; a' my ain: all my own
Line 6 lov'd: loved
Line 7 kiss'd: kissed; owre: over
Stanza 3
Line 1 lock'd: locked, hugged tightly
Line 7 ay: always
Stanza 4
Line 1 hae: have; blythe: blithe
Line 3 joyfu' gath'rin: joyful gathering; gear: wonderful