Robert Burns speaks directly to God in this intimate prayer, asking for protection over each member of his household. There’s a quiet urgency in his voice—he knows life is fragile, and he’s pleading with a “dread Power” he trusts will listen. The first plea is for the old father, hoping he’ll live long enough to see his children’s goodness. Then Burns turns to the mother, asking that she be spared the grief of losing a child and given only joy. He prays for his son to grow into a man worthy of a parent’s hopes, and for his daughters—imagined as a band of angelic sisters—to be kept safe from hidden snares. The final verse looks beyond life, to a reunion where not a single soul is missing. The mood is tender and reverent, filled with both deep love and a parent’s anxious care. It leaves you with the sense of a man holding his whole family up to heaven, hoping they’ll all make it home together.
136. Prayer—O Thou Dread Power — Summary
O THOU dread Power, who reign’st above, I know thou wilt me hear, When for this scene of peace and love, I make this prayer sincere.
The hoary Sire—the mortal stroke, Long, long be pleas’d to spare; To bless this little filial flock, And show what good men are.
She, who her lovely offspring eyes With tender hopes and fears, O bless her with a mother’s joys, But spare a mother’s tears!
Their hope, their stay, their darling youth. In manhood’s dawning blush, Bless him, Thou God of love and truth, Up to a parent’s wish.
The beauteous, seraph sister-band— With earnest tears I pray— Thou know’st the snares on ev’ry hand, Guide Thou their steps alway.
When, soon or late, they reach that coast, O’er Life’s rough ocean driven, May they rejoice, no wand’rer lost, A family in Heaven!