On Tam the Chapman by Robert Burns
Tam the chapman meets Death on the road and gladly greets the famous figure. Death is equally pleased with Thomas, who sets down his pack and begins a warm, hearty conversation. Tam’s sociable, friendly, honest nature delights Death so much that they cannot easily part. After looking over Tam’s knives and garters, Death takes him home to give him lodging.
By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Comic Poetry · 112 words
First lines
As Tam the chapman on a day, / Wi'Death forgather'd by the way, / Weel pleas'd, he greets a wight so famous, / And Death was nae less pleas'd wi' Thomas, / Wha cheerfully lays down his pack, / And there blaws up a hearty crack: / His social, friendly, honest heart / Sae tickled Death, they could na part; / Sae, after viewing knives and garters, / Death taks him hame to gie him quarters.
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Genres
- Narrative Poetry — The work tells a compact story in verse, following Tam the chapman’s encounter and conversation with Death.
- Scottish Vernacular Poetry — Burns writes in Scots dialect, using forms such as 'wi','nae,' 'wha,' and 'taks' to establish a distinctly Scottish linguistic and cultural setting.
- Comic Poetry — The poem treats a meeting with Death playfully: Tam’s sociability charms Death, and the ominous figure becomes a convivial companion.
- Satirical Poetry — Its humorous inversion of Death’s expected severity lightly satirizes mortality and the social customs of friendly bargaining and conversation.
Tags
Scottish vernacular poetry · eighteenth-century Scotland · roadside encounter · travelling chapman · peddler's pack · personification of Death · meeting Death · mortality · death as companion · hospitality · lodging · friendly conversation
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On Tam the Chapman is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1786 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: 1786 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Narrative Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Comic Poetry, Satirical Poetry, Personification Allegory
- Length: 112 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
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