O wert thou in the cauld blast...

Question

Dear Teachers,I was trying to translate this R.Burn's poem (or should I say 'ballad'?) with an online Old Scottish dictionary the other day but... it turned out a real nightmare ... too tedious ... too complicated for me....I was wondering if someone could point me to a modern English translation of this poem ...somewhere in the internet?The phrase modern English translation may sound real 'out of place' to you I am afraid....especially to native Scotts .... sorry about that.A word for word translation would be preferable of course but ... any relevant link would be appreciated actually!Awaiting your suggestions...

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

What is the title of the poem?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

OK, I found a copy. I found a translation to modern English, but it didn't help in understanding the song..

I wrote an interpretation for each line.

O wert thou in the cauld¹ blast (If you were in a cold winter storm (blast) )
On yonder lea², on yonder lea, (In the meadow over there)
My plaidie³ to the angry airt^4, (With my sturdy cloak pointed into the direction of the howling wind
I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee (I would shelter you
Or did Misfortune's bitter storms (Or when misfortune comes and
Around thee blaw⁵, around thee blaw, (blows around you - e.g. when you are having lots of bad luck)
Thy bield⁶ should be my bosom, ( My bosom (note: it is metaphor for the mother's ******* which comfort, and protect her child) will be your protection against them,
To share it a', to share it a'. ( to share it all - e.g. to share your misfortunes)

Or were I in the wildest waste, (If I were in the wildest wasteland
Sae black and bare, black and bare, (so dark and desolate
The desert were a Paradise, ( that desert would be like paradise
If thou wert there, if thou wert there; (If you were there,
Or were I Monarch o' the globe, (If I were king of the earth
Wi' thee to reign thee to reign, (governing with you
The brightest jewel in my Crown (The brightest jewel in my crown would be my queen)
Wad be my Queen wad be my Queen.

1. cold
2. field, meadow
3. Scottish plaid is traditional cloth. It is used for typical dress, and is a national symbol of pride.
4. Direction, of the wind
5. blow
6. a sheltered place, as in a shelter from a storm. Close to the English "shield". Burns uses this as a protection against the ill fortune.

Burns wrote this poem in 1796 from his deathbed for the young https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessie_Lewars a family friend who helped look after him in his final days. It is reported to be the last poem he wrote.

O wert thou in the cauld blast...

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