The Morrow-Bird (Scottish Highers English): Revision Notes
The Morrow-Bird
Overview
The Morrow-bird was written by Kathleen Jamie for the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 2021. As Scotland's fourth Makar (national poet), Jamie delivered a reading of this poem at the ceremony.
The morrow-bird is a symbolic figure that represents looking towards the future. The bird carries the responsibility to "tell what must be told" about both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The poem takes readers on a journey through time, beginning with the formation of Earth and moving through human history. This journey culminates in the present moment, in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament where the poem was first performed.
The poem addresses three major concerns:
- The passage of time and the sweep of human history
- The wonder and fragility of the natural world
- The urgent need for responsible and ethical governance
Form and structure
The poem is divided into four stanzas of decreasing length. This structure creates a sense of narrowing focus, moving from the vast timescale of geological history to the immediate present and the specific call to action.
Stanza Structure:
The stanza lengths are:
- Stanza one: 28 lines
- Stanza two: 20 lines
- Stanza three: 8 lines
- Stanza four: 5 lines
This decreasing pattern reinforces the movement from expansive geological time to the urgency of the present moment.
The poem uses an irregular rhyme scheme that alternates at various points. This creates moments of surprise and reflects the complexity of the subject matter. Sometimes the rhymes feel predictable and satisfying, while at other points they deviate unexpectedly, mirroring the unpredictable nature of history and the future.
Jamie uses Scots dialect throughout the poem, which roots the work firmly in its Scottish setting and connects it to the cultural identity of the Parliament being addressed.
Stanza one
Opening invitation
The poem begins with the phrase "Suppose we begin". This opening creates a collaborative tone between speaker and audience. The word "suppose" invites the reader to imagine alongside the poet, while "we" establishes a shared responsibility. Given that this poem was written for the opening of Parliament, Jamie seems to assume that the assembled members are willing to engage with the challenges she presents.
The glacier and geological time
From the start, we are taken through the formation of Earth and the evolution of its ecosystem. The opening image presents a glacier "bearing a massive stone". This glacier symbolises a long, slow process of change spanning millennia.
As global warming causes the ice to melt, the stone is abandoned. This creates a powerful sense of loss and isolation. The perfect rhyme of "stone" and "alone" emphasises the emptiness of the landscape. The phrase "aeons of desolation" reinforces this overwhelming sense of despair through its long vowel sounds and the weight of the word "aeons". This image of complete emptiness serves as a warning about a possible future if humanity does not change course.
The arrival of life
Eventually, small fragments described as "crumbs of earth" give way to a treeless expanse of tundra. Reindeer appear, and then a mysterious visitor arrives: "then one day, a bird / from an unkent airt / (the future)". The Scots phrase "unkent airt" means an unknown direction or place, emphasising that this bird comes from somewhere beyond current knowledge.
The bird brings transformation. It "drops a hazel nut / which sends forth the tree", suggesting the beginning of a new era. This "gift" creates a vibrant, colourful world described as "pine green and berry bright". This forest flourishes and "holds sway a thousand years", indicating a long period of natural dominance.
The arrival of humans
This long sentence describing natural growth comes to an abrupt end with "the first axe bite". Although "bite" rhymes with the earlier "bright", the hard consonant sounds make this moment feel shocking and violent. The word "bite" suggests something aggressive and destructive, marking the moment when human activity begins to harm the natural world.
The sweep of human history
A new sentence marks a shift in focus. The speaker touches on human history with the phrase "The rest, we cry 'history'". The word "cry" has a double meaning. In Scots, it means "call", but it also suggests tears and sadness. This ambiguity captures both the naming of history and the grief that comes with recognising the destructive force of human actions.
The poem then lists stages of human development: "kye and castle, empire, mine and mill". This list moves from agricultural beginnings (kye means cattle in Scots) through the establishment of feudal systems (castles), the expansion of empires, and finally the Industrial Revolution (mines and mills). Each stage represents humanity's increasing power over and exploitation of the natural world.
Arriving at the present
The historical survey leads directly to democracy and the setting for the poem's performance: "Which brings us to this chamber". The use of occasional rhymes throughout this section speeds up the narrative pace:
- "bright" and "bite"
- "mill" and "will"
- "behest" and "request"
- "dismayed" and "afraid"
These rhymes add to the storytelling quality of the poem, giving it the feel of an ancient tale or fable being retold.
The bird's return
The morrow-bird, having witnessed the birth of the forest, now returns: "Thon bird's back". The bird had "soared to sight the horizon" but has "returned afraid". This fear marks a turning point in the poem. The bird has seen something in the future that troubles it deeply, and this vision drives the urgent message that forms the rest of the poem.
Stanza two
Repetition and emphasis
The second stanza opens by repeating the final line of stanza one: "She soared to sight the horizon". This repetition serves multiple purposes. It emphasises the bird's ability to see into the future, and it creates a refrain-like quality that gives the poem the feel of an oral story or traditional ballad.
The parenthetical description "(her wings flashed gold)" adds to the bird's mystical quality. The flash of gold suggests something beautiful, powerful, and perhaps divine. The sudden burst of light could represent enlightenment or spiritual wisdom.
The urgency of the message
The bird's message is described as something that "must be told". The word "must" emphasises urgency and obligation. This is not optional information but a vital warning.
The bird perches on "a certain boulder / (her life-long friend)". This personification of the boulder as a friend creates a sense of ongoing connection. The bird has been here before, watching over the Earth through geological time. This familiarity contrasts with the urgent new message she brings.
A playful but serious call
The phrase "she caw's you to attend" contains a clever pun. "Caw's" is the Scots word for "calls", rooting the poem in Scottish language. But it is also onomatopoeia, mimicking the harsh, loud cry of a bird. This sound often signals danger in nature, which is entirely appropriate given the warning the bird brings.
At this point, Jamie switches to italics to show that the bird itself is now speaking. This shift in voice gives authority to the message that follows, emphasising that what comes next is the bird's direct warning from the future.
Acknowledging change
The bird begins by recognising that change is constant: "that's aye been the way". The Scots word "aye" means "always". The bird has witnessed all the history described in stanza one and knows that change is inevitable. Humanity and nature have always evolved, as shown by the list of "kye and castle, empire, mine and mill".
A stark vision
However, the bird then stresses that "the stark vision I saw up there / must be allayed". The adjective "stark" suggests something harsh, bare, and troubling. This "sight" on "the horizon" is what made the bird "afraid". The bird urges the audience to "allay" these fears through action. The word "allay" means to reduce or put to rest, suggesting that the frightening future can be avoided if people act now.
Patterns of involvement
The bird's message includes several alternating rhymes that make it more rhythmic and memorable:
- "way" and "allayed" (a slant rhyme)
- "enough" and "tough"
- "say 'nay'" and "every day"
These rhymes emphasise that everyone must be involved in different ways to address the challenges ahead.
Formal and informal language
The word "multifariousness" stands out as unusually complex. It means being made up of many different parts or aspects. This formal, technical term is juxtaposed with the plain, conversational phrase "when it all gets tough". This contrast might represent the difference between official political language and the stark reality of the issues that must be faced.
Rejecting inaction
The bird uses personification to address stones and trees, calling back to the imagery of stanza one:
- "Stones, it won't be sufficient"
- "Trees, don't be waving your arms about"
The colloquial phrase "sit on your dowps" (dowps means buttocks in Scots) adds humour while making a serious point. These images suggest different forms of inaction. The stones refusing to budge might represent stubborn resistance to change. The trees waving their branches could symbolise empty gestures that achieve nothing. Both responses are inadequate given the urgency of the situation.
Stanza three
Ancient and ongoing injustice
As the bird continues her message, she stresses that "the world has not yet managed to remove all injustice". This acknowledges that despite progress, many of the problems that have plagued humanity throughout history remain unresolved.
Interconnectedness of life
The bird reminds listeners of the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world. Human activity has an impact on "wild domains". The word "invades" is particularly powerful here. It suggests aggressive intrusion, the use of force, and the taking of territory that does not belong to the invader. Humans have not simply entered natural spaces but have forcefully taken them over, often with destructive consequences.
Representing all life
The bird then lists various creatures: "the puddock's leap / the hare's breath, / the drone of summer bees, / the whale's dive in the ocean". This list includes:
- Amphibians (puddock is Scots for frog or toad)
- Mammals on land (the hare)
- Insects in the air (bees)
- Marine mammals in the ocean (whales)
By selecting creatures from different habitats and of vastly different sizes, the bird represents all life on Earth. The list creates a vivid sensory picture: we can imagine the leap, hear the breath, listen to the drone, and visualise the dive.
Mutual dependence
The bird concludes this section with a simple but powerful statement: "and you need them". The meaning is clear. Whatever impact humans have on the natural world will ultimately affect humanity itself. We depend on the diversity and health of all these creatures and their habitats. Destroying nature means destroying ourselves.
Stanza four
A heartfelt plea
The final stanza opens with "So please". This simple phrase, following all that has come before, carries emotional weight. It is a heartfelt plea from the speaker (no longer the bird but the original voice from stanza one) to those assembled in Parliament.
The central message
The poem's key statement comes in the next line: "We seek good governance, Parliament." This is a direct address to the institution and a clear articulation of what is needed. The poem is not just warning about environmental disaster or historical injustice. It is specifically calling on those in political power to act with wisdom and responsibility.
A new gift
The morrow-bird's "handsel" (a Scots word meaning gift, often given at the start of something new) is bestowed "with music and song". This suggests that the future should be approached not just with serious determination but also with joy, creativity, and hope. Music and song represent cultural richness and the human spirit.
Three imperatives
The poem concludes with a powerful tricolon of short commands:
- "Act bold."
- "Be kind."
- "Stay strong."
Each instruction is brief and direct. Together they form a complete guide for action:
- Boldness is needed to make difficult decisions and take risks
- Kindness ensures that actions benefit everyone, including the vulnerable
- Strength provides the resilience to persist when challenges arise
The final rhyme of "song" and "strong" creates a resounding conclusion. The poem ends with strength, but strength that is connected to culture, creativity, and community through the earlier mention of music and song.
Themes
Humans and the natural world
Throughout the poem, Jamie emphasises how deeply connected humans and nature are. She shows that human actions have consequences that reach even the smallest creatures. The list "the puddock's leap / the hare's breath, the drone of summer bees, / the whale's dive in the ocean" represents the full spectrum of life that depends on healthy ecosystems.
The speaker stresses "multifariousness" (diversity made up of many different parts) as essential for addressing complex challenges. A diverse and inclusive ecosystem, like a diverse society, is stronger and more resilient than one that lacks variety.
The poem traces human impact on the environment from "the first axe bite" that destroyed part of the primeval forest to the widespread influence of human activity across the planet. Each stage of development listed ("kye and castle, empire, mine and mill") brought progress for humans but also increased pressure on the natural world.
Time and history
The poem begins with a glacier, an image of immense geological time. We then move through the formation of landscapes, the development of ecosystems, and finally the relatively brief span of human history. This vast timescale helps us see human civilisation in perspective. What seems permanent to us is actually very recent and potentially fragile.
The phrase "that's aye been the way" acknowledges that change is constant. Nothing stays the same forever. The rise of empires, the development of industry, and the growth of democracy are all part of an ongoing process of transformation.
However, the bird's "stark vision of the future" reminds us that not all change is positive. The poem emphasises that while change is inevitable, the direction of that change can be influenced by the choices made in the present moment. This is why the poem culminates in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament, a place where decisions about the future are made.
Call for action
The morrow-bird serves as a messenger, delivering an urgent warning about what lies ahead. The bird's fear is palpable. Having seen the horizon, she returns "afraid" and "dismayed". This is not abstract concern but genuine alarm about the future.
The bird emphasises that everyone must be involved. It will not be "sufficient" for some to remain passive like stones, and empty gestures like trees "waving your arms about" will not be enough. The colloquial instruction not to "sit on your dowps" (buttocks) reinforces that passivity is not an option.
The final stanza directly calls for "good governance" from Parliament. This is the poem's central political message. Those in positions of power have a responsibility to "Act bold. Be kind. Stay strong." These three short imperatives provide a clear ethical framework for political action. Boldness without kindness can be cruel. Kindness without strength can be ineffective. Strength without boldness can become mere stubbornness. All three qualities are needed together.
Comparisons with other Kathleen Jamie poems
What the Clyde said, after COP26
Both The Morrow-bird and What the Clyde said, after COP26 focus on human responsibility for damage to the natural world. The morrow-bird warns of potential future harm, while the River Clyde laments pollution that has already occurred. Both poems express fear about what will happen if humans do not take active steps to preserve the environment.
While The Morrow-bird covers a vast sweep of human history from the ice age to the present, What the Clyde said focuses on a more personal and local history. The Clyde recalls the days of shipbuilding when it took pride in seeming unstoppable and powerful. Both poems build towards a clear call for action. The morrow-bird insists that Parliament must act with wisdom and determination. The Clyde threatens to rise if the promises made at COP26 are not kept.
Mr and Mrs Scotland are Dead
Mr and Mrs Scotland are Dead also addresses environmental harm through its setting in a landfill. This is a place of decay, excess, and waste where even cherished belongings become rubbish. Like The Morrow-bird, this poem expresses concern about the future of the planet if people do not act responsibly. All three poems (including What the Clyde said) share an anxiety about environmental destruction and a sense that the future is at risk.
Ospreys
While Ospreys also features birds, these are real ospreys rather than metaphorical figures. However, both poems highlight the wonder of the natural world. The ospreys migrate between Scotland and Senegal, and people eagerly await their return each year. This attention and care for the birds reflects what the morrow-bird demands: that humans pay attention to the natural world and heed its warnings.
Crossing the Loch
Crossing the Loch connects to The Morrow-bird through its focus on nature and the environment. Both poems express awe at the scale and variety of life. Both also share a sense of danger. In The Morrow-bird, the danger comes from how human actions might shape the future. In Crossing the Loch, the danger arises from recognising how small and exposed people are when faced with the vastness of nature.
Song of Sunday
Song of Sunday is less overtly about the environment but shares a concern with change and the need to move forward. It contrasts a polite but loveless routine of the past with an "alien and lovely" kiss that represents something new. This can be read as a plea to move beyond old patterns and embrace a more open, emotionally honest way of living. Similarly, The Morrow-bird calls for change in how people relate to the environment and how politicians govern.
Key Points to Remember:
- The morrow-bird is a symbolic messenger from the future, warning Parliament about the consequences of current actions
- The poem journeys through vast geological time, from glaciers to the present day, showing how recent human civilisation is compared to Earth's history
- Key Scots words include: unkent airt (unknown direction/future), kye (cattle), aye (always), caw (call/bird cry), dowps (buttocks), puddock (frog/toad), handsel (gift)
- The poem uses personification extensively, giving voice to the bird and addressing stones and trees as if they could act
- The central call is for "good governance" based on three principles: "Act bold. Be kind. Stay strong."
- Literary devices include tricolon, pun, onomatopoeia, slant rhyme, and juxtaposition
- The poem addresses three major themes: the passage of time and human history, the wonder and fragility of the natural world, and the urgent need for responsible governance