Ballad on the American War by Robert Burns
The ballad traces a series of military and political reversals after America refuses the law imposed by Guilford’s government. Montgomery advances through the lakes and toward Quebec, where he falls fighting sword in hand among his enemies. Tammy Gage is confined at Boston-ha’, while Willie Howe moves toward Philadelphia but is mocked for spilling no Christian blood and for hacking “Sir-Loin” at New York. Burgoyne presses on until Fraser falls, then loses his way at Saratoga; Cornwallis fights and wounds the Buckskins, while Clinton leaves his sword hanging idle. Fear spreads among Montague, Guilford, and Sackville, with Paddy Burke proving merciless and Charlie Fox abandoning restraint to speak freely. Rockingham takes control until death calls him away; Shelburne succeeds him with meekness, but Saint Stephen’s boys oppose his measures, and North and Fox join forces to cast him aside. Charlie Fox then seems to win the political game, until the “diamond’s ace, of Indian race” leads him into a grave mistake. Saxon lads call upon Chatham’s boy, and Scotland urges Willie to rise against them all. Granville works secretly behind the throne, Dundas stirs those north of the Roman wall, and Chatham’s wraith challenges Willie to show courage. North, Fox, and their allies batter Willie until southern supporters gather behind him; Caledon casts aside the drone, draws her knife, and swears to fight through dirt and blood to make matters right in law.
By Robert Burns · First published 1787 · Genre: Political Satire, Historical Poetry, Ballad · 835 words
First lines
Tune-"Killiecrankie."
When Guilford good our pilot stood / An' did our hellim thraw, man, / Ae night, at tea, began a plea, / Within America, man: / Then up they gat the maskin-pat, / And in the sea did jaw, man; / An' did nae less, in full congress, / Than quite refuse our law, man.
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Genres
- Political Satire — The poem mockingly recounts British political and military failures during the American Revolutionary War, ridiculing figures such as Lord North, Charles Fox, Burgoyne, Howe, and Cornwallis.
- Historical Poetry — It treats real events, campaigns, battles, and parliamentary changes connected with the American War of Independence, including Quebec, Saratoga, Yorktown-era defeat, and British ministerial crises.
- Ballad — Written to the tune of "Killiecrankie," it uses regular stanzas, refrains, colloquial narrative movement, and the popular-song manner characteristic of a political ballad.
- War Poetry — Its central subject is the American Revolutionary conflict, represented through commanders, military expeditions, battlefield losses, and the consequences of defeat.
Tags
American Revolution · British imperial politics · American colonial resistance · British military defeats · eighteenth-century warfare · British Parliament · political satire · satirical ballad · Scots language · Scottish national identity · British party factions · ministerial intrigue
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Ballad on the American War is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1787 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: 1787 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Political Satire, Historical Poetry, Ballad, War Poetry, Political Poetry
- Length: 835 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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