To a Mouse (4 Musical Arrangements) - Robert Burns

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On Turning her up in her Nest, with the Plough, November 1785.
Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim’rous beastie,
O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi’ bickerin brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee
Wi’ murd’ring pattle!

I’m truly sorry Man’s dominion
Has broken Nature’s social union,
An’ justifies that ill opinion,
Which makes thee startle,
At me, thy poor, earth-born companion,
An’ fellow-mortal!

I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;
What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!
A daimen-icker in a thrave
’S a sma’ request:
I’ll get a blessin wi’ the lave,
An’ never miss ’t!

Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!
It’s silly wa’s the win’s are strewin!
An’ naething, now, to big a new ane,
O’ foggage green!
An’ bleak December’s winds ensuin,
Baith snell an’ keen!

Thou saw the fields laid bare an’ waste,
An’ weary Winter comin fast,
An’ cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel coulter past
Out thro’ thy cell.

That wee-bit heap o’ leaves an’ stibble
Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!
Now thou’s turn’d out, for a’ thy trouble,
But house or hald,
To thole the Winter’s sleety dribble,
An’ cranreuch cauld!

But Mousie, thou art no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!

Still, thou art blest, compar’d wi’ me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But Och! I backward cast my e’e,
On prospects drear!
An’ forward tho’ I canna see,
I guess an’ fear!

The poem "To a Mouse" was written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1785. It is one of Burns' best-known works and is considered a classic in Scottish literature.

The poem is written from the perspective of the narrator, who accidentally overturns the nest of a field mouse while ploughing a field. The narrator expresses empathy and remorse for disrupting the mouse's carefully constructed home and the hardships it will now face as winter approaches.

The poem explores themes of the fragility of life, the interconnectedness of humans and nature, and the common struggles faced by both man and beast. Burns uses vivid, evocative language to paint a picture of the mouse's plight, while also drawing parallels to the human condition.

One of the most famous lines from the poem is "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, / Gang aft agley," which translates to "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." This line has become a widely recognized idiom, reflecting the unpredictability and uncertainty of life.

Robert Burns (1759-1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland and came from a humble farming background.

Burns is renowned for his lyrical and emotive poems that capture the beauty and struggles of rural Scottish life. His works are known for their use of the Scots dialect, as well as their exploration of themes like love, nature, and the human experience.

In addition to "To a Mouse," some of Burns' most famous works include "Auld Lang Syne," "Tam o' Shanter," and "A Red, Red Rose." His poetry and songs have had a lasting impact on Scottish culture and have been widely translated and celebrated around the world.

Burns' enduring popularity and influence have led to him being honoured as a cultural icon in Scotland, with annual "Burns Suppers" held on his birthday to celebrate his life and legacy.

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