Holy Willie's Prayer (Robert Burns Poem)

Holy Willie was an Elder in the Kirk at Mauchline, and Gavin Hamilton was a treasurer at the same church. Holy Willie when inspecting the books saw that the money that was supposed to be given to the poor was 7 pounds short, and perhaps accused Hamilton of pilfering the money from the poor box. He and Auld took Hamilton to the kirk session to have it investigated. Hamilton had the lawyer Aitkin defend him. Apparently the money was short only because Gavin had been gracious and kind to let some people off because they were too poor to make a contirbution.

Burns was aware that Holy Willie was not pleased with the result and was heard muttering to himself and to God about the injustice of it.

Burns uses the poem to expose Holy Willie as sanctimonious and self-righteous, and hears him pleading that if God lets him off this time with Meg with whom he has been having a tryst then "he will never lift a lawless leg apon her"

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[unklecyril]

I am fortunate to share the same birthdate as the bard and it has enhanced my life...thanks for these posts of his poems...cheers

[Rutle]

Love the cool film look of the video. Love your reading of a wonderful poem too.

[cinderellalifestyle]

a good un,...I wonder how it went over, in it's day? LOL.....the "Willies" still alive and well,...in spite of Burns tongue in cheek admonitions.....some things will never change.....hehehe

[krabbers]

this video looks timeless ,