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Description: | This poem was written by Burns at a time in 1786 when he had arranged to emigrate to Jamaica and was the one which he expected to be 'my last song I should ever measure in Caledonia'. He is in a mood of depression as he contemplates his farming and other domestic problems which had led to his decision to leave his native soil.
Before the success of the Kilmarnock edition of his poems was realised, Burns was all set to go to Jamaica to aid his fortunes. On leaving his friend Rev. Dr George Lawrie's house he was filled with foreboding and melancholy. As usual at this time he transferred his mood to perspicacious verse.
In the first page Burns describes walking along the Banks of the river Ayr, the heavy clouds threaten rain and the harvest is late and wind-torn. He reflects on the dangers of his planned voyage at sea or on landing and contemplates the peace of mind that death would bring. | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0 | Publisher: | Burns Monument Trust | Temporal: | 1786-01-01 - 1786-12-31 | Source: | Burns Scotland | Identifier: | Poem / song by Robert Burns: 'The gloomy | Go to resource |
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