I canna want my Jeanie - Tune, Cauld kail in Aberdeen
O Poortith cauld, & resless Love,
Ye wrack my peace between ye;
Yet Poortith a', I could forgive,
But tynin o' my Jeanie
Chorus
For weel loe I my Jeanie, Sirs,
I canna want my Jeanie:
How happy I, were she my ain,
Tho' I had ne'er a guinea.
This warld's wealth when I think on,
Its pride, & a' the lave o't;
My curse on silly, coward man,
That he should be the slave o't
For weel & c.
[Page torn] er [Her?] een, sae bonie blue, betray
How she repays my passion,
But Prudence is her o'erword ay,
She talks o' rank & fashion.
For weel & c.
O Poortith cauld, & resless Love,
Ye wrack my peace between ye;
Yet Poortith a', I could forgive,
But tynin o' my Jeanie
Chorus
For weel loe I my Jeanie, Sirs,
I canna want my Jeanie:
How happy I, were she my ain,
Tho' I had ne'er a guinea.
This warld's wealth when I think on,
Its pride, & a' the lave o't;
My curse on silly, coward man,
That he should be the slave o't
For weel & c.
[Page torn] er [Her?] een, sae bonie blue, betray
How she repays my passion,
But Prudence is her o'erword ay,
She talks o' rank & fashion.
For weel & c.
The silly bogles, Rank & state,
Did never mak them eerie.
For weel & c.
Did never mak them eerie.
For weel & c.
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/102
- Alt. number
- 3.6260
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/102
- Alt. number
- 3.6260
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
Description
I canna want my Jeanie. Begins; "O poortith cauld, and restless love". Also known as "Poortith cauld". 3½ four-line verses and chorus. Presumably written for Jean Lorimer.
Burns wrote this these 3½ four-line verses and chorus for Jean Lorimer, also known as 'Chloris', in 1793. This particular song was set to the tune of Cauld Kail in Aberdeen. Jean (1775 - 1831) was the inspiration of nearly 24 songs, including Lassie wi' the Lintwhite Locks.
Jean was the daughter of William Lorimer, a good friend of the poet who lived a few miles from Ellisland farm. Jean's good looks attracted many employees of the Excise, with Robert writing several poems for his friends to use in their attempts to woo her. Unfortunately for them, she eloped to Gretna Green with an untrustworthy man who left her three weeks later to escape his creditors. She soon after moved back home with her father.
Robert found Jean to be a great source of inspiration for his work. In writing to George Thomson in 1794, he said '[Jean] is in a manner to me what Sterne's Eliza was to him; a Mistress or Friend, or what you will, in the guise of Platonic Love'.
Robert found Jean to be a great source of inspiration for his work. In writing to George Thomson in 1794, he said '[Jean] is in a manner to me what Sterne's Eliza was to him; a Mistress or Friend, or what you will, in the guise of Platonic Love'.
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- I canna want my Jeanie
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