A Song.- Tune, Roslin Cattle.
1.
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 scattred coveys meet secure;
While here I wander, prest with care
Along the lonely banks of Aire.
2.
The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn
By early Winter's ravage torn;
Across her placid, azure sky,
She sees the scowling tempest fly.
The whistling storm affrightens me;
I think upon the raging sea.
Where many a danger I must dare.
Far from the bonie banks of Aire!
3.
'Tis not the surging billow's roar;
'Tis not that fatal, deadly shore;
Tho Death in ev'ry shape appear.
The wretched have no more to fear:
1.
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 scattred coveys meet secure;
While here I wander, prest with care
Along the lonely banks of Aire.
2.
The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn
By early Winter's ravage torn;
Across her placid, azure sky,
She sees the scowling tempest fly.
The whistling storm affrightens me;
I think upon the raging sea.
Where many a danger I must dare.
Far from the bonie banks of Aire!
3.
'Tis not the surging billow's roar;
'Tis not that fatal, deadly shore;
Tho Death in ev'ry shape appear.
The wretched have no more to fear:
But round my heart the ties are bound;
That heart transpierc'd with many a wound;
Those bleed afresh, these ties I tear,
To leave the bonie banks of Aire.
4.
Farewel, old Coila's hills and dales!
Her heathy moors, and winding vales!
The scenes where wretched Fancy roves,
Pursuing past, unhappy loves!
Farewel my friends, farewel my foes!
My love with these, my peace with those;
These bursting tears my heart declare -
Farewel, the bonie banks of Aire!
___________________
That heart transpierc'd with many a wound;
Those bleed afresh, these ties I tear,
To leave the bonie banks of Aire.
4.
Farewel, old Coila's hills and dales!
Her heathy moors, and winding vales!
The scenes where wretched Fancy roves,
Pursuing past, unhappy loves!
Farewel my friends, farewel my foes!
My love with these, my peace with those;
These bursting tears my heart declare -
Farewel, the bonie banks of Aire!
___________________
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/180
- Alt. number
- 3.6275.b
- Date
- 1786
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Stewart, Mrs Alexander
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- The gloomy night is gath'ring fast