Election Ballad for Westerha' by Robert Burns
The ballad urges Jamie and the Johnstones to oppose the “turncoat Whigs.” It mocks the Duke, saying that the lads by the banks of Nith trust him despite his having deserted the King, and condemns him as a man who has never stood by his country, harmed its enemies, or earned the blessing of the poor. The song praises the fame of Westerha’, known even to boys tending cattle, and rallies support for Whistlebirk and the steadfast Maxwell, declaring that they will all be Johnstones.
By Robert Burns · First published 1808 · Genre: Political satire, Election ballad, Scottish folk song · 311 words
First lines
Tune-"Up and waur them a', Willie."
The Laddies by the banks o' Nith / Wad trust his Grace[1] wi a', Jamie; / But he'll sair them, as he sair'd the King- / Turn tail and rin awa', Jamie.
What this Textopian page supports
Election Ballad for Westerha' is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1808 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: 1808 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Political satire, Election ballad, Scottish folk song, Satirical lyric poetry, Partisan propaganda
- Length: 311 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Election Ballad for Westerha' by Robert Burns
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Genres
- Political satire — The poem attacks the Duke of Queensberry and turncoat Whigs through ridicule, partisan accusation, and mocking references to political conduct.
- Election ballad — It is explicitly an election-oriented song, designed to rally support for the Johnstone faction and condemn its opponents in a local political contest.
- Scottish folk song — Written to the tune of 'Up and waur them a', Willie,' it uses a recurring chorus, colloquial Scots diction, and the conventions of communal Scottish song.
- Satirical lyric poetry — Its brief stanzas, refrain, compressed verbal attacks, and songlike structure make it a lyric poem whose principal method is satire.
Tags
Scottish political ballad · eighteenth-century Scotland · Nithsdale · banks of the River Nith · electoral campaigning · Whig politics · anti-Whig satire · turncoat politicians · Duke of Queensberry · George III regency crisis · royalist loyalty · Johnstone faction