Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem "Weren'a My Heart's Licht I Wad Dee" by Lady Grizel Baillie is a lament of lost love. Lady Grizel Baillie (1665-1746) was a Scottish noblewoman and songwriter who was also known for her political activism and her efforts to promote the Jacobite cause in Scotland.

The narrator is a woman who was once courted by a man named Johnnie, who promised her rings and other fine things. However, Johnnie's family disapproved of the match, believing the woman to be beneath him. Despite their objections, Johnnie and the woman planned to marry. However, on the day of the wedding, Johnnie's aunt fell ill and died, causing Johnnie to break his promise and refuse to see the woman again.

The poem is written in Scots, which adds to its emotional power. The narrator's love for Johnnie is expressed in the line "And werena my heart's licht, I wad dee," meaning that she would die if she did not have his love. The repetition of this line throughout the poem reinforces the depth of her emotion and the pain of losing him.

The poem also touches on themes of class and social status, as Johnnie's family disapprove of the woman due to her lack of wealth and status. This societal pressure ultimately leads to the breakdown of the relationship.

The final stanza of the poem expresses the narrator's longing for Johnnie and their lost love. She wishes she were young again so they could be together, galloping through the fields and enjoying each other's company. This final stanza is bittersweet, as it highlights the narrator's regret for what could have been.

Overall, "Weren'a My Heart's Licht I Wad Dee" is a moving poem that explores the pain of lost love and the societal pressures that can impact relationships. Lady Grizel Baillie's use of Scots adds to the emotional impact of the poem, making it a powerful expression of human emotion.

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