Line by Line Meaning of Lord Ullin’s Daughter by Thomas Campbell

About the Poet- Thomas Campbell was a Scottish poet. He was born in Glasgow on 27^th July 1777. He was educated at the University of Glasgow. In 1795 Campbell went as tutor on the island of Mull. The scenery of the western Highlands, which made a deep impression on his mind, is reflected in his verse. Returning from Mull, he went to Edinburgh with the intention of studying law. This plan, however, he soon abandoned. His first poem, “The Pleasures of Hope”, suggested to him while at Mull, was published in 1799. After its publication Campbell went to Germany, visiting Munich, Leipzig, and Hamburg, where he was staying at the time of the battle of Hohenlinden. During this period he wrote “The Exile of Erin” and “Ye Mariners of England”, two of his best known patriotic lyrics. Returning to Edinburgh, he published, in 1801, “Lochiel’s Warning” and “Hohenlinden”.

In 1803 Campbell proceeded to London and adopted literature as a profession. In 1805, he was granted a royal pension of ₤200 a year. It was in 1805, too, that his collection entitled Poems appeared. In 1819 he published his Specimens of British Poets, containing an excellent introductory essay on poetry and good biographies of the poets themselves. At this very time he was also delivering lectures on poetry. After this he edited the New Monthly Magazine, contributing to it several poems, among which is “The Last Man”.

In 1826 Campbell was elected lord rector of the University of Glasgow and received the unusual honour of re-election in the two following years. He died in Boulogne, France on 15^th June 1844, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

About the Poem- Lord Ullin’s Daughter

“Lord Ullin’s Daughter” was written by Thomas Campbell sometime around 1795 when he had visited the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Highlands as a tutor. However, not much is known about when exactly the poem was published.

Setting of the Poem

This poem is set in the Scottish highlands. This part of Scotland’s landscape is a combination of woods, moors, verdant valleys, and beautiful lakes. Hence, these are the places through which Lord Ullin’s daughter and her lover escape within the poem.

Line by Line Meaning of Lord Ullin’s Daughter

Please note: N = Noun, V = Verb, Adj = Adjective, Adv = Adverb, P = Preposition, Pr = Pronoun

1^st stanza:

Chieftain (N): The leader of a people or clan

Highlands (N): Plural form of the word “Highland”, that is, the mountainous part of Scotland, to the north of Glasgow and Stirling, often associated with Gaelic culture

Bound (Adj): Going or ready to go towards a specified place

Tarry (V): Stay longer than intended; delay leaving a place

Thee (Pr): An older form of the word “you”

Pound (N): The basic monetary unit of the UK, equal to 100 pence

Row (V): Propel (a boat) with oars

O’er (P): Short form of the word “over”

Ferry (N): A boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods, especially over a relatively short distance and as a regular service

2^nd stanza:

Ye (Pr): An older form of the plural of “you” (as in “you all”, or in this case, “you two”)

Lochgyle (N): The name of a lake in Scotland which separates the Isle of Mull (where lord Ullin and his daughter lived) from the Isle of Ulva

Isle (N): An island or peninsula, especially a small one

3^rd stanza:

Fled (V): Past tense of the word “flee”, that is, to run away from a place or situation of danger

Glen (N): A narrow valley, especially in Scotland or Ireland

Stain (V): Mark or discolour with something that is not easily removed

Heather (N): A purple-flowered Eurasian heath that grows abundantly on moorland and heath land

4^th stanza:

Hard (Adv): With a great deal of force; violently

Bonny (Adj): Attractive or beautiful

Slain (V): Past participle from of the word “slay”, that is, to kill (a person or animal) in a violent way

5^th stanza:

Hardy (Adj): Capable of enduring difficult conditions; robust

Wight (N): A person of a specified kind

Winsome (Adj): Attractive or appealing in a fresh, innocent way

6^th stanza:

Bird (N): A young woman or a man’s girlfriend

Raging (Adj): Continuing with great force or intensity

7^th stanza:

Apace (Adv): Swiftly; quickly

Water-wraith (N): A supposed water-spirit, whose appearance is said to bring death or woe to the person seeing it

Shrieking (V): Present participle form of the word “shriek”, that is, to utter a high-pitched piercing sound or words, especially as an expression of terror, pain, or excitement

Scowl (N): An angry or bad-tempered expression

8^th stanza:

Drearer (Adj): An older form of the word “drearier”, which is in turn the comparative form of the word “dreary”, that is, depressingly dull and bleak or repetitive

Adown (Adv): From a higher to a lower situation; downward; down, to or on the ground

Armed (Adj): Equipped with or carrying a weapon or weapons

Trampling (N): Present participle form of the word “trample”, that is, to tread on and crush

9^th stanza:

Haste (V): An older form of the word “hasten”, that is, to move or travel hurriedly

Tempests (N): Plural form of the word “tempest”, that is, a violent windy storm

11^th stanza:

Prevailing (V): Present participle form of the word “prevail”, that is, to prove more powerful or superior

Fatal (Adj): Causing death

Wrath (N): Extreme anger

Wailing (V): Present participle form of the word “wail”, that is, to manifest or feel deep sorrow for; lament

12^th stanza:

Sore (Adv): Extremely; severely

Dismayed (V): Past participle form of the word “dismay”, that is, to cause (someone) to feel concern and distress

Aid (N): Help, typically of a practical nature

13^th stanza:

Grief (N): Intense sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death

14^th stanza:

’Twas: Short form of the expression “it was”

Vain (Adj): Producing no result; useless

Lashed (V): Past tense of the word “lash”, that is, to beat forcefully against

Preventing (V): Present participle form of the word “prevent”, that is, to keep (something) from happening

Lamenting (V): Present participle form of the word “lament”, that is, to express passionate grief about