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Robert Burns - Nature Poems
This enchanting collection captures the essence of the natural world, as seen through the eyes of Scotland's beloved bard.
Each chapter delves into a different aspect of nature - from the wild, mossy mountains and glens to the murmuring streams, the sorrowful song of the woodlark, and the ever-changing seasons.
Burns's profound appreciation for the landscape and its creatures shines through every verse, making this book a heartfelt love letter to his homeland. Whether you're a long-time admirer of Burns or discovering his work for the first time, Nature Poems will transport you to the heart of Scotland's natural splendour.
Each chapter delves into a different aspect of nature - from the wild, mossy mountains and glens to the murmuring streams, the sorrowful song of the woodlark, and the ever-changing seasons.
Burns's profound appreciation for the landscape and its creatures shines through every verse, making this book a heartfelt love letter to his homeland. Whether you're a long-time admirer of Burns or discovering his work for the first time, Nature Poems will transport you to the heart of Scotland's natural splendour.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published July 8, 2025
9 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Robert Burns
2,565 books352 followersRobert Burns (also known as Robin) was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language. He also wrote in English and a "light" Scots, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. A cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world, celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.
As well as making original compositions, Burns collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His Auld Lang Syne is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and Scots Wha Hae has served as an unofficial national anthem. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well-known across the world today, include A Red, Red Rose, A Man's A Man for A' That, To a Louse, To a Mouse, The Battle of Sherramuir, Tam o' Shanter and Ae Fond Kiss.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. A cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world, celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.
As well as making original compositions, Burns collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His Auld Lang Syne is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and Scots Wha Hae has served as an unofficial national anthem. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well-known across the world today, include A Red, Red Rose, A Man's A Man for A' That, To a Louse, To a Mouse, The Battle of Sherramuir, Tam o' Shanter and Ae Fond Kiss.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 5, 2025
I initially saw this on the Gold Coast library website and thought “Oh, nice” and immediately requested a hold.
As soon as I opened the book, I knew something wasn’t right.
As someone who grew up in Scotland and was taught about the national bard’s poetry in school, there’s a certain frisson when reading or hearing Burns’ poetry, and it stirs something within me.
It’s a mixture of pride, that such beautiful and florid, expressive language comes from a historical native of one’s home country, and also a sense of time-travel. By which I mean that the words uttered are very much how the poet would have expressed himself on a daily basis. The rhythm, cadence and vocabulary all contributing to a sense of the time, and to what Burns’ was feeling and wanted to convey to his fellow men (and women).
“Nature Poems” has none of this.
The fact that every single work (in the case of Tam O’Shanter merely a “snippet” has been included) has been “English-ified” completely ruins the experience of the poetry.
It’s a sanitised, watered-down version of very famous and stirring poems and it should be considered an abomination by anyone who considers themselves even moderately well-read.
There is no attempt to even reference the original words, or provide translations. It’s an extremely lazy and arrogant piece of work in my opinion. Who are these authors who think they know better or can improve the work of the Bard?
As soon as I opened the book, I knew something wasn’t right.
As someone who grew up in Scotland and was taught about the national bard’s poetry in school, there’s a certain frisson when reading or hearing Burns’ poetry, and it stirs something within me.
It’s a mixture of pride, that such beautiful and florid, expressive language comes from a historical native of one’s home country, and also a sense of time-travel. By which I mean that the words uttered are very much how the poet would have expressed himself on a daily basis. The rhythm, cadence and vocabulary all contributing to a sense of the time, and to what Burns’ was feeling and wanted to convey to his fellow men (and women).
“Nature Poems” has none of this.
The fact that every single work (in the case of Tam O’Shanter merely a “snippet” has been included) has been “English-ified” completely ruins the experience of the poetry.
It’s a sanitised, watered-down version of very famous and stirring poems and it should be considered an abomination by anyone who considers themselves even moderately well-read.
There is no attempt to even reference the original words, or provide translations. It’s an extremely lazy and arrogant piece of work in my opinion. Who are these authors who think they know better or can improve the work of the Bard?
November 27, 2025
I loved the cover of this book, it’s texture & design is quite simply divine. HOWEVER this edition has not done the iconic Robert Burns any favours by completely Anglicising the poems and songs in this book. They have stripped it completely of the Scottish dialect, taking away the wonderful timbre of his words. Why????? If they felt they needed to translate it into modern English they could simply have provided a glossary of words and terms in the back (or front) or provided a side by side translation much like the No Fear Shakespeare range do. I was so excited to get this book but did not even think of opening it to check if they had changed anything. Foolish, disappointing and dishonest decision by the publishers - there is nothing on the back to say his words have been changed.
April 29, 2025
I want to be very clear about this rating. I am rating THIS EDITION of Burns's poetry only (eISBN: 978-0753735596).
The poetry of Robert Burns is exceptional. He is among my favorite poets of all time.
However, these are not Burns's original poems. Burns wrote in Scots. These are English translations, but they are not advertised as such. When you put Burns's poems into "standard English," you lose meter and rhyme and much of what makes them unique and wonderful.
If you want to read Burns (which I highly recommend!!), choose a different edition that has the actual, original, Scots versions of Burns's poems.
The poetry of Robert Burns is exceptional. He is among my favorite poets of all time.
However, these are not Burns's original poems. Burns wrote in Scots. These are English translations, but they are not advertised as such. When you put Burns's poems into "standard English," you lose meter and rhyme and much of what makes them unique and wonderful.
If you want to read Burns (which I highly recommend!!), choose a different edition that has the actual, original, Scots versions of Burns's poems.
April 12, 2025
I picked this book up while I was on holiday in Scotland from a quaint little shop.
I’ve just seen that it says it’s not yet published, so now I’m unsure as to how I’ve been able to come across it
👀😳
Anyway - it’s fantastic! Beautiful poems.
And the last two?…they stole my heart! 💖😍
‘My Heart’s In The Highlands’ is now one of my favourite poems ever because it’s exactly how I feel. It’s like the poem knew how I felt and put it into words for me 🥹
Great poetry.
I’ve just seen that it says it’s not yet published, so now I’m unsure as to how I’ve been able to come across it
👀😳
Anyway - it’s fantastic! Beautiful poems.
And the last two?…they stole my heart! 💖😍
‘My Heart’s In The Highlands’ is now one of my favourite poems ever because it’s exactly how I feel. It’s like the poem knew how I felt and put it into words for me 🥹
Great poetry.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews