The deil'd awa wi th' exciseman

Category

Library Item

Item no

17715

Title

The deil'd awa wi th' exciseman

Description

The Devil is dancing through the streets waving a fiddle and carrying away an exciseman, who has his hands over his ears. A small devil follows behind playing a drum and wearing a tri-cornered hat. The street is lined by people including children who are all laughing at the man's plight. One old woman is waving a bottle of alcohol at him as he gets carried away. The crowd are standing outside The Tappit Hen tavern. The exciseman's gun and book are lying on the ground.

Artist / maker

Bryden, Robert

Date

1893

Size

24.2 x 30.3 cm

Type

Wood cut

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image is an illustration of a poem written by Robert Burns. View the poem The deil'd awa wi th' exciseman

Robert Burns is Scotland's national poet. He was born on the 25th January 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire. He was the son of a tenant farmer and was brought up working the land, but like many sons of Scottish farmers received a good education.
In 1786 he published a volume of his poetry called Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. The book was an immediate success and was the start of his transformation into a national hero. He continued to write poetry and songs until he died on the 21st July 1796 aged just 37. Every year, on the anniversary of his birth, thousands of Scots at home and abroad gather together to celebrate the poet's life and works by holding Burns Suppers.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.