O Tibbie, I Hae Seen the Day by Robert Burns
The speaker rebukes Tibbie for treating him with cold pride because he lacks money. He recalls meeting her on the moor and passing her on the road, where she ignores or snubs him, yet insists that he does not care. He says she believes her wealth and reputation for possessing “clink” allow her to win him whenever she chooses, but condemns any man who would pursue a proud, insolent woman. He accuses Tibbie of judging men solely by their “yellow dirt”: however handsome or capable a poor lad may be, she turns away and answers him harshly, while she clings to a man with wealth even if he has no more sense or learning than cattle. The speaker warns that her finery and high manner come from her father’s possessions, and that no one would value her so highly if she were poor. He finally declares that he would rather have another lass who lives beside the park, even in her simple shift, than Tibbie with all her thousand mark.
By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Song · 516 words
First lines
Tune-"Invercauld's Reel, or Strathspey."
Choir. -O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, / Ye wadna been sae shy; / For laik o' gear ye lightly me, / But, trowth, I care na by.
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — A stanzaic first-person poem expressing the speaker's romantic resentment, pride, and scorn through a recurring refrain.
- Scottish Vernacular Poetry — The work is written predominantly in Scots dialect, using colloquial vocabulary and idioms characteristic of Burns's Scottish poetic voice.
- Song — It is explicitly set to the tune 'Invercauld's Reel, or Strathspey' and uses a chorus, making it a lyric intended for musical performance.
- Satirical Poetry — The speaker ridicules Tibbie's pride, mercenary behavior, and preference for wealthy but foolish men.
Tags
Scottish vernacular poetry · Scots dialect · song lyric · refrain · courtship · unrequited attraction · romantic rejection · wealth and poverty · class prejudice · materialism · social status · female pride
What this Textopian page supports
O Tibbie, I Hae Seen the Day is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1786 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: 1786 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Song, Satirical Poetry, Love Poetry
- Length: 516 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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