The Minstrel at Lincluden by Robert Burns
At a roofless tower beside a burn that rins tae the Nith, the speaker sees an auld minstrel's ghaist play his harp and sing o former joy and later wae, but winna set doon his words. The refrain has a lanely lassie lamentin lads fa'in in wars ayont the sea.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Ballad, Supernatural · 421 words
First lines
Tune-"Cumnock Psalms."
As I stood by yon roofless tower, / Where the wa'flow'r scents the dery air, / Where the howlet mourns in her ivy bower, / And tells the midnight moon her care.
Genres
- Ballad — Rhymin stanzas and a repeated chorus tell o an encounter wi a minstrel's ghaist, wi a tune named at the start.
- Supernatural — A stern ghaist appears as an auld minstrel and plays his harp afore the speaker.
Tags
ghaists · minstrels · harp music · war lament · ruins · nicht
What this Textopian page supports
The Minstrel at Lincluden is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated Date unknown.
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: Date unknown
- Genres: Ballad, Supernatural
- Length: 421 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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