Chapter CLV: A Jacobite’s Farewell

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.

Now a’ is done that men can do,
And a’ is done in vain,
My Love and Native Land fareweel,
For I maun cross the main,
My dear--
For I maun cross the main.

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--
And adieu for evermore!

The soger frae the wars returns,
The sailor frae the main,
But I hae parted frae my love
Never to meet again,
My dear--
Never to meet again.

When day is gane, and night is come,
And a’ folk bound to sleep,
I think on him that’s far awa
The lee-lang night, and weep,
My dear--
The lee-lang night and weep.

_Robert Burns._

NAIRN