Man was Made to Mourn

When chill November's surly blast 

Made fields and forests bare, 

One ev'ning, as I wander'd forth 

Along the banks of Ayr, 

I spied a man, whose aged step 

Seem'd weary, worn with care; 

His face was furrow'd o'er with years, 

And hoary was his hair. 

"Young stranger, whither wand'rest thou?" 

Began the rev'rend sage; 

"Does thirst of wealth thy step constrain, 

Or youthful pleasure's rage? 

Or haply, prest with cares and woes, 

Too soon thou hast began 

To wander forth, with me to mourn 

The miseries of man. 

"The sun that overhangs yon moors, 

Out-spreading far and wide, 

Where hundreds labour to support 

A haughty lordling's pride; - 

I've seen yon weary winter-sun 

Twice forty times return; 

And ev'ry time has added proofs, 

That man was made to mourn. 

"O man! while in thy early years, 

How prodigal of time! 

Mis-spending all thy precious hours- 

Thy glorious, youthful prime! 

Alternate follies take the sway; 

Licentious passions burn; 

Which tenfold force gives Nature's law. 

That man was made to mourn. 

"Look not alone on youthful prime, 

Or manhood's active might; 

Man then is useful to his kind, 

Supported in his right: 

But see him on the edge of life, 

With cares and sorrows worn; 

Then Age and Want - oh! ill-match'd pair - 

Shew man was made to mourn. 

"A few seem favourites of fate, 

In pleasure's lap carest; 

Yet, think not all the rich and great 

Are likewise truly blest: 

But oh! what crowds in ev'ry land, 

All wretched and forlorn, 

Thro' weary life this lesson learn, 

That man was made to mourn. 

"Many and sharp the num'rous ills 

Inwoven with our frame! 

More pointed still we make ourselves, 

Regret, remorse, and shame! 

And man, whose heav'n-erected face 

The smiles of love adorn, - 

Man's inhumanity to man 

Makes countless thousands mourn! 

"See yonder poor, o'erlabour'd wight, 

So abject, mean, and vile, 

Who begs a brother of the earth 

To give him leave to toil; 

And see his lordly fellow-worm 

The poor petition spurn, 

Unmindful, tho' a weeping wife 

And helpless offspring mourn. 

"If I'm design'd yon lordling's slave, 

By Nature's law design'd, 

Why was an independent wish 

E'er planted in my mind? 

If not, why am I subject to 

His cruelty, or scorn? 

Or why has man the will and pow'r 

To make his fellow mourn? 

"Yet, let not this too much, my son, 

Disturb thy youthful breast: 

This partial view of human-kind 

Is surely not the last! 

The poor, oppressed, honest man 

Had never, sure, been born, 

Had there not been some recompense 

To comfort those that mourn! 

"O Death! the poor man's dearest friend, 

The kindest and the best! 

Welcome the hour my aged limbs 

Are laid with thee at rest! 

The great, the wealthy fear thy blow 

From pomp and pleasure torn; 

But, oh! a blest relief for those 

That weary-laden mourn!"

In “Man was Made to Mourn,” Robert Burns explores the impact of class distinction and how it causes a loss of human connection. The poem showcases how inequality divides people, taking away empathy and unity between the social classes. Burns’ use of a mournful and reflective tone emphasizes the sorrow caused by class divisions. This somber tone reveals the emotional disconnect that results when people are separated by wealth and status. Burns reflects on human suffering by saying, “Man's inhumanity to man / Makes countless thousands mourn!” Burn’s repetition of man highlights that the greatest source of suffering is not nature or an uncontrollable force, but people themselves; the pain and loss experienced are caused deliberately by people, often due to social injustice and inequality. His second line, “Makes countless thousands mourn,” emphasizes the scale of this suffering, showing that the consequences of oppression and disconnect between classes are widespread, affecting many lives. Together, the lines show the lack of compassion between humans, especially within the class system that divides and isolates people. Later, Burns questions the fairness of inequality, asking, “If I'm design’d yon lordling’s slave, / By Nature’s law design’d, / Why was an independent wish / E’er planted in my mind?” Burns highlights the dehumanizing idea that some people, especially those from lower-class are seen as inherently meant to serve others, and questions the fairness of being born into subjugation, and being “design’d… slave.” To those from an upper social class, it seems as if it were a natural law for those from lower classes to be their “slave.” However, the “independent wish” in the narrator’s mind reveals an essential human desire for freedom and self-determination, which goes against their imposed status as people who are meant to be “slaves”. This contradiction illustrates the emotional isolation experienced by those in lower classes, who are denied recognition as full, autonomous human beings. The speaker’s internal struggle highlights how class distinctions severs empathy and humanity between people of different classes, causing a loss of connection across social divides.