AE FOND KISS - 4m08s

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 cheerfu' twinkle lights me,
Dark despair around benights me.

Had we never loved sae kindly,
Had we never loved 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 fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!

           Robert Burns

The story behind “Ae Fond Kiss” and the relationship between Burns and Clarinda has fascinated me for a long time. So I felt this album would be incomplete without a version of this song. I hope to have done it justice. Those who know the song well will notice I’ve missed the verse which refers specifically to Nancy (Clarinda). There’s no particular reason for this .. honestly ! Those with a keen musical ear may however notice that it’s in the same key as “Clarinda’s Reply - Reprise” which follows !