“My Heart’s in the Highlands”

ROBERT BURNS(1759-1796)

Robert Burns was born on January,25,1759, in a small clay cottage at Alloway in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Robert was a capable boy, and with the help of his new teacher, learned French and Latin and became fond of

reading. His favorite authors were William Shakespeare, Laurence Sterne and Robert Fergusson.

Though Burns despised those who worshipped money, he became well aware of the fact that poverty could ruin his whole life: he had fallen in love with Jean Armour, but her father did not

want Robert to marry her as he was poor.

There was no way for a poor peasant in Scotland, so Burns decided to sail to Jamaica,

in the hope of obtaining a job on some sugar plantation. To raise the passage money,

Robert published some of his poems in 1786.

Burns was a remarkable lyric poet. His masterful touch upon the human heart-strings is the

most characteristic feature of his talent

In his lyrical poems Robert Burns glorifies true love and friendship, free from any motives of gain and hypocritical morality. In all his works he remains the bard of freedom.

People sing the song “Auld Lang Syne” on the last day of the year.