Montgomerie's Peggy by Robert Burns
The speaker declares that he would be happy even sleeping on the moor among the heather in his plaidie if Montgomerie’s Peggy were with him. In stormy, dark, rainy winter weather, he imagines finding a sheltered dell and protecting her in his arms. Even if he possessed the rank, horses, and servants of a proud baron, his greatest pleasure would be sharing all his joy with Montgomerie’s Peggy.
By Robert Burns · First published 1790 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry, Scottish Song · 136 words
First lines
Tune-"Galla Water."
Altho' my bed were in yon muir, / Amang the heather, in my plaidie; / Yet happy, happy would I be, / Had I my dear Montgomerie's Peggy.
When o'er the hill beat surly storms, / And winter nights were dark and rainy; / I'd seek some dell, and in my arms / I'd shelter dear Montgomerie's Peggy.
Were I a baron proud and high, / And horse and servants waiting ready; / Then a' 'twad gie o' joy to me,- / The sharin't with Montgomerie's Peggy.
What this Textopian page supports
Montgomerie's Peggy is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1790 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: 1790 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry, Scottish Song, Folk Ballad, Pastoral Poetry
- Length: 136 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
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- Work identity for Montgomerie's Peggy by Robert Burns
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is a short, highly musical first-person poem expressing concentrated personal feeling through repeating lines and song-like stanzas.
- Love Poetry — Its central subject is the speaker's devotion to Montgomerie's Peggy, whose companionship is valued above comfort, status, and wealth.
- Scottish Song — Written to the tune of 'Galla Water' and using Scots diction, the poem belongs to the tradition of Scottish vernacular song.
- Folk Ballad — Its tune designation, refrain-like repetition, plain diction, and emphasis on a beloved figure connect it to folk-song and ballad traditions, though it lacks a full narrative plot.
Tags
Scottish song · love lyric · romantic devotion · courtship · beloved woman · rural Scotland · moorland · heather · winter storms · rainy nights · shelter · embrace