Farewell, Thou Stream.

Air - "Nancy's to the greenwood gane."


I.

    Farewell, thou stream that winding flows
        Around Eliza's dwelling!
    O mem'ry! spare the cruel throes
        Within my bosom swelling:
    Condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain,
        And yet in secret languish,
    To feel a fire in ev'ry vein,
        Nor dare disclose my anguish.

II.

    Love's veriest wretch, unseen, unknown,
        I fain my griefs would cover;
    The bursting sigh, th' unweeting groan,
        Betray the hapless lover.
    I know thou doom'st me to despair,
        Nor wilt, nor canst relieve me;
    But oh, Eliza, hear one prayer -
        For pity's sake forgive me!

III.

    The music of thy voice I heard,
        Nor wist while it enslav'd me;
    I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd,
        'Till fears no more had sav'd me:
    The unwary sailor thus aghast,
        The wheeling torrent viewing;
    'Mid circling horrors sinks at last
        In overwhelming ruin.

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire, and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. Born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, he is best known for works such as 'Auld Lang Syne,' 'Scots Wha Hae,' and 'A Red, Red Rose.' He passed away on July 21, 1796, in Dumfries.

Robert Burns

Galla Water.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

O Steer Her Up.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Lines On Mrs. Kemble.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Fair Jeany.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Eliza.

Tune - "Gilderoy."


I.

    From thee, Eliza, I must go,
        And from my native shore;
    The cruel Fates between us throw
        A boundless ocean's roar:
    But boundless oceans roaring wide
        Between my love and me,
    They never, never can divide
        My heart and soul from thee!

II.

    Farewell, farewell, Eliza dear,
        The maid that I adore!
    A boding voice is in mine ear,
        We part to meet no more!
    The latest throb that leaves my heart,
        While death stands victor by,
    That throb, Eliza, is thy part,
        And thine that latest sigh!

Robert Burns

The Farewell.

    "The valiant, in himself, what can he suffer?
    Or what does he regard his single woes?
    But when, alas! he multiplies himself,
    To dearer selves, to the lov'd tender fair,
    The those whose bliss, whose beings hang upon him,
    To helpless children! then, O then! he feels
    The point of misery fest'ring in his heart,
    And weakly weeps his fortune like a coward.
    Such, such am I! undone."

Thomson.


I.

    Farewell, old Scotia's bleak domains,
    Far dearer than the torrid plains
        Where rich ananas blow!
    Farewell, a mother's blessing dear!
    A brother's sigh! a sister's tear!
        My Jean's heart-rending throe!
    Farewell, my Bess! tho' thou'rt bereft
        Of my parental care,
  ...

Robert Burns

The Farewell.

Tune - "It was a' for our rightfu' king."


I.

    It was a' for our rightfu' king,
        We left fair Scotland's strand;
    It was a' for our rightfu' king
        We e'er saw Irish land,
        My dear;
        We e'er saw Irish land.

II.

    Now a' is done that men can do,
        And a' is done in vain;
    My love and native land farewell,
        For I maun cross the main,
        My dear;
        For I maun cross the main.

III.

    He turn'd him right, and round about
        Upon the Irish shore;
    And gae his bridle-reins a shake,
        With adieu for evermore,
        My dear;
        With adieu for evermore.

IV.

    The sodger from the wars returns,...

Robert Burns

The Gloomy Night.

Tune - "Roslin Castle."


I.

    The gloomy night is gath'ring fast,
    Loud roars the wild inconstant blast;
    Yon murky cloud is foul with rain,
    I see it driving o'er the plain;
    The hunter now has left the moor,
    The scatter'd coveys meet secure;
    While here I wander, prest with care,
    Along the lonely banks of Ayr.

II.

    The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn,
    By early Winter's ravage torn;
    Across her placid, azure sky,
    She sees the scowling tempest fly:
    Chill runs my blood to hear it rave,
    I think upon the stormy wave,
    Where many a danger I must dare,
    Far from the bonnie banks of Ayr.

III.

    'Tis not the surging billow's roar,
    'Tis n...

Robert Burns

Fair Eliza.

A Gaelic Air.



I.

    Turn again, thou fair Eliza,
        Ae kind blink before we part,
    Rue on thy despairing lover!
        Canst thou break his faithfu' heart?
    Turn again, thou fair Eliza;
        If to love thy heart denies,
    For pity hide the cruel sentence
        Under friendship's kind disguise!

II.

    Thee, dear maid, hae I offended?
        The offence is loving thee:
    Canst thou wreck his peace for ever,
        Wha for time wad gladly die?
    While the life beats in my bosom,
        Thou shalt mix in ilka throe;
    Turn again, thou lovely maiden.
        Ae sweet smile on me bestow.

III.

    Not the bee upon the blossom,
        In the pride o' sunny no...

Robert Burns

Forlorn, My Love, No Comfort Near.

Tune - "Let me in this ae night."



I.

    Forlorn, my love, no comfort near,
    Far, far from thee, I wander here;
    Far, far from thee, the fate severe
        At which I most repine, love.
            O wert thou, love, but near me;
            But near, near, near me;
            How kindly thou wouldst cheer me,
                And mingle sighs with mine, love

II.

    Around me scowls a wintry sky,
    That blasts each bud of hope and joy;
    And shelter, shade, nor home have I,
        Save in those arms of thine, love.

III.

    Cold, alter'd friendship's cruel part,
    To poison Fortune's ruthless dart,
    Let me not break thy faithful heart,
        And say that fate is mine, lov...

Robert Burns