Hi I'm currently just learning to play and sing this song as a friend is inviting me to a Robby Burns dinner and I had to bring something to the party and I chose this song. Really like Karen Matheson's version. Anyway I wanted to get a deeper understanding of the poem and just wanted to thank you for opening my eyes and ears to this poem/lyric. All the best.
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; Ae fareweel, alas, for ever! Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee, Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee. Who shall say that Fortune grieves him, While the star of hope she leaves him? Me, nae cheerful twinkle lights me; Dark despair around benights me. I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy, Naething could resist my Nancy: But to see her was to love her; Love but her, and love for ever. Had we never lov'd sae kindly, Had we never lov'd sae blindly, Never met-or never parted, We had ne'er been broken-hearted. Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest! Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest! Thine be ilka joy and treasure, Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure! Ae fond kiss, and then we sever! Ae fareweeli alas, for ever! Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee, Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee
OK, I have to stop you there! "Ae" is pronounced "Ay", to rhyme with "nay". It means "one". Compare the Northern English Lyke wake Dirge: This ae neet = this one night And why "Warring"? Are the lovers trying to outcompete each other in their despair?