A Portrait of Robert Burns Robert Burns

1795 · Song

How Cruel Are the Parents

Altered from an old English song


Tune ·  John Anderson, my jo

How cruel are the parentsWho riches only prize,And to the wealthy boobyPoor Woman sacrifice!Meanwhile, the hapless DaughterHas but a choice of strife;To shun a tyrant Father’s hate—Become a wretched Wife.
The ravening hawk pursuing,The trembling dove thus flies,To shun impelling ruin,Awhile her pinions tries;Till, of escape despairing,No shelter or retreat,She trusts the ruthless Falconer,And drops beneath his feet.
Year
1795
Form
Song
Location
Dumfries
Tune
John Anderson, my jo
Source
Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns