Comin Through the Rye
Chorus
O, Jenny `s a' weet, poor body,
Jenny's seldom dry;
She draigl't a' her petticoatie,
Comin' thro' the rye!
I
Comin thro' the rye, poor body,
Comin thro' the rye,
She draigl't a' her petticoatie,
Comin thro' the rye!
II
Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro' the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need a body cry?
III
Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro' the glen,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need the warld ken?
Chorus
O, Jenny `s a' weet, poor body,
Jenny's seldom dry;
She draigl't a' her petticoatie,
Comin' thro' the rye!
Robert Burns (1759-1796)
1. Summarize in a sentence or two the situation and mood of Burns’ poem.
2. In what ways has reading the Burns’ poem helped you understand the title of Salinger’s novel?
3. Locate lines from Salinger that seem to echo or parallel lines or situations in the poem. Record your answers on the back.