Mbo and Clinton;
what i love about Westlin' Winds is its complexity, and its simplicity. It really can be seen as two different songs, or as one which allows different worldfs to come crashing together.
Burns' horror at the brutality of hunting season is overshadowed by his love for a young woman (Peggy), and his joy in the changing autumnal landscape is overshadowed by the murder he sees of his beloved forest birds...
I think the beauty of the poetry, so profound, the passion of the anger and outrage, and the gentleness of his tender emotions towards his love, combine to make this one of the most evocative and wonderful traditional songs out there!

peg
who has been really into this song lately...