Robert Burns Club of Milwaukee

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Lines Written On A Bank-Note

Poem of the Month for April, 2000

Contributed by William H. Olson

These 12 lines sum up the source of much of the world's woes two centuries ago, as well as now. I recently obtained a five pound note with a wee mousie on the reverse and Burns on the obverse - PLUS eight lines from "A Man's a Man for a' That." How appropriate! And also that about the time (1786) Burns penned these lines, his fortunes turned and he was not forced to leave Scotland. I wonder whatever happened to Burns' bank-note.

Lines Written On A Bank-Note
1786

Wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf!
Fell source o' a' my woe and grief!
For lack o' thee I've lost my lass!
For lack o' thee I scrimp my glass!
I see the children of affliction
Unaided, through thy curst restriction:
I've seen the oppressor's cruel smile
Amid his hapless victim's spoil;
And for thy potence vainly wished,
To crush the villain in the dust:
For lack o' thee, I leave this much-lov'd shore ,
Never, perhaps, to greet old Scotland more.

R.B.

--William H. Olson, March 2000
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