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The poem was written in 1785 on the occasion of the birth of Burns’ daughter, the product of a relationship with Betty Paton, a local servant girl for which he was convicted of fornication and punished by fine.

The child was raised by the poet’s mother and he made financial provisions for her upbringing.This is the only poem of the set which lingers on aspects of the poet’s actual life.

To A Mouse and Holy Willie’s Prayer are also drawn from Burns' real life experiences but these poems reflect more broadly on philosophical aspects of the wider world and society. A Poet’s Welcome is, by contrast, an intimate and private document of Burns’ genuine joy.

Themes

This poem explores the following themes:

• The importance of human values
• Celebration of spontaneous and natural love
• Rejection of and opposition to those which seek to control and shame people