THE ANNIVERSARY OF BURNS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1440, 24 September 1881, Page 4

THE ANNIVERSARY OF BURNS.

To the Editor of the JDunciUn Star. Sir, — The following verses are given, improtitptu, by an influence professing to be the .Spirit of the immortal Bard ' ot Scotland. Whatever may be thought of their reputed origin, there oan be little doubt as to their real worth. In point of pathos and general poetic excellence they aic certainly not surpassed by anything Burns ever wrote, and I think they ought to be sung at the next anniversary of tho lard. — I am, &c., Sandy, Dunedin, August 13.

Ye ken I'm what the world ca's dead — My flesh the worms has served to feed, An' fertilise d fu' mony a weed An' blossom bonmc; Yet still .1 cantie life I lead As glad as ony. llcie, in the native land o' spirit. Wh.iut folks their true deserts inherit, And hnd the bliss and peace they merit — Nac mair nor less. ; My soul h.is lo\c and work to cheer it Wi happiness. Although bomc preacher* fain to tell I'm roaslm' in that horrid hell, Ihev ding in tolks' lugs like a bell, JHit dinna believe it ; I found the hamc I made mysel 1 And aft can lea\c it. Ay, iifton frac my hamc up higher, ] watch the i hu-ls that strike the lyic, And for the bays o' lame aspireOn rounds o' sang — Their minds wi noble thoughts t'insplre, An' sleep ahing. ihe upright, honest-hearted man, Who strives to do the best he can, Need never fear the Church's ban Or hell's damnation ; For God will need nae " special plan" For Ins salvation. Ihe One who knows our deepest needs Kecks little how man counts his beads ; J'or righteousness is not m ciceds Oi solemn faces, lint r.ifherlics m kindly deeds And Christian grates. '1 lion ne^ or (car • w i' purpose leal, A he id to think, a hcait to feel ; lor hum m woe and human weal K.ie pie.ichin' loon Yotu «. icr<d birthright cci can steal lo Hca\en aboiin. I tent o' tiuth, and heed tliis well— 1 he m m who sins in. ikes his am hell, J hero's n io w mi do. 1 than himscl ; Hut dod is strongest ; An' when pooi human lu-.uls rebel, lie hands out langest. AW loung kindness will he wait i ill a' the piod'gals o' tale Return unto tin ir l.iir estate An' blessings mon\ ; Nor will he shut the garden gate O' Heaven on on).