A Grace After Dinner
written in 1789
O thou, in whom we live and move - Who made the sea and shore; Thy goodness constantly we prove, And grateful would adore; And, if it please Thee, Power above! Still grant us, with such store, The friend we trust, the fair we love - And we desire no more. Amen!
A Grace After Dinner - meaning Summary
Gratitude and Modest Petition
Robert Burns's "A Grace After Dinner" is a short, devotional prayer offered after a meal. It thanks God for creation and continued goodness, expresses communal gratitude, and closes with a humble petition for two simple blessings: a faithful friend and a beloved companion. The speaker frames these gifts as sufficient, expressing contentment and trust in providence. The tone is plain and conversational, combining praise with modest desire. As a brief prayer, the poem emphasizes thankfulness and the peace that comes from having enough of what truly matters.
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