'Holy Willie's Prayer' by Robert Burns


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"And send the godly in a pet to pray." - Pope

O Thou, that in the heavens does dwell,
Wha, as it pleases best Thysel',
Sends ane to heaven an' ten to hell,
A' for Thy glory,
And no for onie guid or ill
They've done afore Thee!

I bless and praise Thy matchless might,
When thousands Thou hast left in night,
That I am here afore Thy sight,
For gifts an' grace
A burning and a shining light
To a' this place.

What was I, or my generation,
That I should get sic exaltation,
I wha deserv'd most just damnation
For broken laws,
Sax thousand years ere my creation,
Thro' Adam's cause.

When from my mither's womb I fell,
Thou might hae plung'd me deep in hell,
To gnash my gooms, and weep and wail,
In burnin lakes,
Where daned devils roar and yell,
Chain'd to their stakes.

Yet I am here a chosen sample,
To show thy grace is great and ample;
I'm here a pillar o' Thy temple,
Strong as a rock,
A guide, a buckler, and example,
To a' Thy flock.

O Lord, Thou kens what zeal I bear,
When drinkers drink, an' swearers swear,
An' sining here, an' dancin there,
Wi great and sma';
For I am keepit by Thy fear
Free frae them a'.

But yet, O Lord! confess I must,
At times I'm fash'd wi' fleshly lust:
An' sometimes, too, in warldly trust,
Vile self gets in;
But Thou remembers we are dust,
Defil'd wi' sin.

O Lord! yestreen, Thou kens, wi' Meg -
Thy pardon I sincerely beg;
O! may't ne'er be a livin plague
To my dishonour,
An' I'll ne'er lift a lawless leg
Again upon her.

Besides, I farther maun allow,
Wi' Leezie's lass, three times I trow -
But Lord, that Friday I was fou,
When I cam near her;
Or else, Thou kens, Thy servant true
Wad never steer her.

Maybe Thou lets this fleshly thorn
Buffet Thy servant e'en and morn,
Lest he owre proud and high shou'd turn,
That he's sae gifted:
If sae, Thy han' maun e'en be borne,
Until Thou lift it.

Lord, mind Gaw'n Hamilton's deserts;
He drinks, an' swears, an' plays at cartes,
Yet has sae mony takin arts,
Wi' great and sma',
Frae God's ain priest the people's hearts
He steals awa.

An' when we chasten'd him therefor,
Thou kens how he bred sic a splore,
An' set the warld in a roar
O' laughing at us; -
Curse Thou his basket and his store,
Kail an' potatoes.

Lord, hear my earnest cry and pray'r,
Against that Presbyt'ry o' Ayr;
Thy strong right hand, Lord make it bare
Upo' their heads;
Lord visit them, an' dinna spare,
For their misdeeds.

O Lord, my God! that glib-tongu'd Aiken,
My vera heart and flesh are quakin,
To think how we stood sweatin, shakin,
An' p-'d wi' dread,
While he, wi' hingin lip an' snakin,
Held up his head.

Lord, in Thy day o' vengeance try him,
Lord, visit them wha did employ him,
And pass not in Thy mercy by them,
Nor hear them their pray'r,
But for Thy people's sake destroy them,
An' dinna spare.

But, Lord, remember me an' mine
Wi' mercies temporal and divine,
That I for grace an' gear may shine,
Excell'd by nane,
And a' the glory shall be thine,
Amen, Amen!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Holy Willie's Prayer: A Masterpiece of Scottish Literature

Robert Burns is a poet who needs no introduction. He is considered the national poet of Scotland and his works have touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. One of his most famous works is Holy Willie's Prayer, a satirical poem that was first published in 1785. The poem is a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy and the self-righteousness of the church.

Background

Robert Burns was born in 1759 in Alloway, Scotland. He was one of the most famous poets of the Romantic era and is best known for his use of the Scots language in his poetry. Burns was a farmer by trade and wrote poetry in his spare time. His works were often satirical and critical of the church and the aristocracy. Burns was a devout Christian but was also critical of the hypocrisy he saw in the church. This is evident in his poem, Holy Willie's Prayer.

Summary

Holy Willie's Prayer is a satirical poem that takes the form of a prayer. The poem is narrated by a man named Holy Willie who is a member of the church. He is a self-righteous, hypocritical man who is obsessed with the idea of being saved. The poem begins with Holy Willie addressing God and asking for forgiveness. He then goes on to condemn the sins of others while boasting about his own righteousness. The poem is a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy and the self-righteousness of the church.

Analysis

Holy Willie's Prayer is a masterpiece of Scottish literature. The poem is a poignant and powerful critique of religious hypocrisy and the self-righteousness of the church. The poem is written in the Scots language, which adds to its authenticity and makes it more powerful. The poem is written in the form of a prayer, which is ironic given that Holy Willie is a hypocrite who is obsessed with the idea of being saved.

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which is a critique of religious hypocrisy. The first stanza begins with Holy Willie addressing God and asking for forgiveness. He then goes on to condemn the sins of others, including those who drink and gamble. He boasts about his own righteousness, stating that he is not like those sinners who do not follow the rules of the church.

In the second stanza, Holy Willie continues his critique of religious hypocrisy. He condemns those who do not attend church regularly and those who do not give enough money to the church. He boasts about his own generosity and his devotion to God.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful of the poem. Holy Willie condemns those who do not believe in predestination, stating that they are doomed to hell. He then goes on to condemn those who do not believe in the doctrine of grace, stating that they are also doomed to hell. This is the ultimate hypocrisy, as Holy Willie is condemning others to hell while boasting about his own righteousness.

In the final stanza, Holy Willie concludes his prayer by asking God to save him. He is afraid of going to hell, and he wants to be saved. This is the ultimate irony, as Holy Willie is a hypocrite who is obsessed with the idea of being saved. He is a self-righteous man who is more concerned with his own salvation than with the welfare of others.

Interpretation

Holy Willie's Prayer is a powerful critique of religious hypocrisy and the self-righteousness of the church. The poem is a scathing indictment of those who claim to be righteous while condemning others for their sins. Burns is pointing out the ultimate hypocrisy of these individuals, who are more concerned with their own salvation than with the welfare of others.

The poem can also be seen as a critique of the church itself. Burns is pointing out the hypocrisy of the church, which claims to be a place of love and forgiveness but is often judgmental and self-righteous. The poem is a warning to those who use religion as a tool of power and control.

At its core, Holy Willie's Prayer is a call for humility and compassion. Burns is urging us to look beyond our own self-righteousness and to see the humanity in others. He is calling us to be kind and compassionate, to treat others with love and respect regardless of their beliefs or actions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Holy Willie's Prayer is a masterpiece of Scottish literature. The poem is a powerful critique of religious hypocrisy and the self-righteousness of the church. Burns is urging us to look beyond our own self-righteousness and to see the humanity in others. He is calling us to be kind and compassionate, to treat others with love and respect regardless of their beliefs or actions. Holy Willie's Prayer is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and challenge us for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Holy Willie's Prayer: A Satirical Masterpiece by Robert Burns

Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, is known for his satirical works that expose the hypocrisy and pretentiousness of the religious and political establishments of his time. One of his most famous poems, Holy Willie's Prayer, is a scathing critique of the Calvinist doctrine of predestination and the self-righteousness of its adherents. In this article, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem and explore its relevance to contemporary society.

Themes

The central theme of Holy Willie's Prayer is the hypocrisy of religious zealots who use their faith as a shield to cover their sins and justify their prejudices. The poem is a monologue by Willie, a member of the Kirk (the Scottish Presbyterian Church), who is praying to God for forgiveness and salvation. However, as he recites his prayer, it becomes clear that he is more concerned with condemning his fellow sinners than with repenting his own transgressions. He accuses others of being "unco guid" (overly righteous) and "self-righteous" while boasting of his own piety and devotion. He also reveals his deep-seated prejudices against Catholics, Episcopalians, and other non-Calvinist denominations, whom he regards as "heretics" and "idolaters."

Another theme of the poem is the Calvinist doctrine of predestination, which holds that God has already determined who will be saved and who will be damned, regardless of their actions or beliefs. Willie, like many Calvinists of his time, believes that he is one of the "elect" who are predestined for salvation, while the rest of humanity is doomed to eternal damnation. This belief leads him to adopt a judgmental and self-righteous attitude towards others, as he sees himself as superior to them by virtue of his supposed election.

Structure

Holy Willie's Prayer is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, a literary device that allows the poet to present the thoughts and feelings of a single character in a vivid and engaging way. The poem consists of 23 stanzas, each containing six lines of rhyming couplets. The rhyme scheme is AABBCC, which gives the poem a sing-song quality that contrasts with its serious subject matter. The poem is also notable for its use of Scots dialect, which adds to its authenticity and humor.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which corresponds to a different stage of Willie's prayer. In the first part (stanzas 1-8), Willie introduces himself and his situation, describing his fear of damnation and his desire for salvation. He also expresses his contempt for the "unco guid" and the "self-righteous," whom he regards as hypocrites.

In the second part (stanzas 9-16), Willie turns his attention to his fellow sinners, whom he condemns for their various vices and shortcomings. He accuses them of being drunkards, adulterers, liars, and thieves, and prays that they will be punished for their sins. He also expresses his hatred for Catholics and Episcopalians, whom he regards as enemies of the true faith.

In the third part (stanzas 17-23), Willie returns to his own situation, asking God for forgiveness and salvation. However, his prayer is undermined by his continued self-righteousness and his belief in his own election. He concludes by asking God to damn his enemies and spare his friends, revealing his true priorities and prejudices.

Language

One of the most striking features of Holy Willie's Prayer is its use of Scots dialect, which gives the poem a distinctive flavor and humor. Burns was a master of the Scots language, and he used it to great effect in his poetry, capturing the rhythms and cadences of everyday speech. The use of dialect also adds to the authenticity of the poem, as it reflects the language and culture of the Scottish people of Burns's time.

The language of the poem is also notable for its satirical tone, which exposes the hypocrisy and absurdity of Willie's beliefs and attitudes. Burns uses irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration to highlight the contradictions and inconsistencies in Willie's prayer. For example, when Willie prays for the damnation of his enemies, Burns describes him as "holy," a clear indication of his ironic intent. Similarly, when Willie boasts of his own piety and devotion, Burns portrays him as a self-righteous hypocrite, more concerned with condemning others than with repenting his own sins.

Relevance

Although Holy Willie's Prayer was written over two centuries ago, its themes and message are still relevant today. The poem exposes the dangers of religious fanaticism and the hypocrisy of those who use their faith as a weapon to attack others. It also highlights the dangers of prejudice and intolerance, which can lead to division and conflict in society.

In today's world, where religious and political extremism are on the rise, and where intolerance and bigotry are still prevalent, the message of Holy Willie's Prayer is more important than ever. The poem reminds us of the need for humility, compassion, and understanding in our dealings with others, and the dangers of self-righteousness and prejudice. It also reminds us of the power of satire and humor to expose the follies and vices of those in power and to promote social justice and equality.

Conclusion

Holy Willie's Prayer is a masterpiece of satire and social commentary, a timeless work that exposes the hypocrisy and prejudices of religious zealots and the dangers of fanaticism and intolerance. Burns's use of Scots dialect, his satirical tone, and his vivid portrayal of Willie's character make the poem a memorable and engaging work of literature. Its message is as relevant today as it was in Burns's time, reminding us of the need for humility, compassion, and understanding in our dealings with others, and the dangers of self-righteousness and prejudice.

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