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