As the hills now fall beyond the far horizon
And the seas, they drive me onwards
My thoughts of thee, return once more, unbidden
Ever sure and ever constant, they call you back tae me

To love and lose the one you hold so fondly
Leaves a heart forever mourning
But I’d e’er accept the pains of loss, my darling,
for the joys of having known thee. Will I know thee again ?

One kiss we shared, one kiss and then we parted
Though the bond that held us lingers
In this pale world I’m bound to ever grieve thee
In the next, my soul receive thee, and hold you ever mine

As the hills now fall beyond the far horizon
And the seas, they drive me onwards
My thoughts of thee, return once more, unbidden
Ever sure and ever constant, they call you back tae me

       Kevin Walsh

Robert Burns and Edinburgh beauty, Agnes (Nancy) McLehose conducted a passionate love affair through a correspondence that lasted several years. Nancy was often referred to as Clarinda in their letters.

On 6 December 1791, Burns met Nancy, in Edinburgh, for the last time. She had decided to join her now prosperous husband in Jamaica. After returning to Dumfries, Burns sent the immortal love song `Ae Fond Kiss' to Nancy, capturing the pangs of lost love in his words in a way that has echoed over the centuries.

Burns and Clarinda never met again though she remembered the day of their parting forever. At the age of 72, in her journal, under the date 6th December 1831 - 40 years to the day after they last met - she wrote
”This day I never can forget. Parted with Burns, in the year 1791, never more to meet in this world, Oh may we meet in Heaven.”

In writing "Clarinda's Reply" I hope to have captured what Nancy might have said in response to "Ae Fond Kiss" , as she sailed to Jamaica.

CLARINDA’S REPLY - 4m22s