The melody playable on the link here is not Rory Dalls Port, but perhaps is now more associated with the words than the original. Yes, it was written originally as a song and not a poem. The musical score was published in the collection of Scottish folks songs known as the Scots Musical Museum. Ae fareweel, and then forever Ae Fond Kiss is probably one of Robert Burns most recorded songs.

The letter is held by National Library of Scotland as part of the Watson Autograph collection of manuscripts.īurns’ original setting of three verses in eight lines was set to the tune of Rory Dalls’ Port.

Burns wrote ‘Ae fond kiss’ after their final meeting and sent it to Mclehose on 27 December 1791 before she departed Edinburgh for Jamaica to be with her estranged husband. While there he established a platonic relationship with Mrs Agnes Maclehose and they began a regular correspondence using the pseudonyms ‘Clarinda’ and ‘Sylvander’. 5 Who shall say that Fortune grieves him, 6 While the star of hope she leaves him 7 Me, nae cheerfu twinkle lights me 8 Dark despair around benights me. It is Burns’ most recorded love song.Īfter the publication of his collected poems, the Kilmarnock volume, Burns regularly travelled and stayed at Edinburgh. 1 Ae fond kiss, and then we sever 2 Ae fareweel, and then forever 3 Deep in heart-wrung tears Ill pledge thee, 4 Warring sighs and groans Ill wage thee. (1823-1904).The Scots song “Ae fond kiss and then we sever” by the Scottish poet Robert Burns is more commonly known as “Ae fond kiss”. Hark the mavis' evening sang Sounding Cluden's woods amang, Then a-fauldin let us gang, My bonie dearie. For a heart-rending version of the song by Karen Matheson with Paul Brady, click The Betrothal of Robert Burns and Highland Mary, by James Archer, R.S.A. By Robert Burns Chorus Ca' the yowes to the knowes, Ca' them where the heather grows Ca' them where the burnie rows, My bonie dearie. The Scots song 'Ae fond kiss and then we sever' is Burns' most recorded love song. Agnes Maclehose and they began a regular correspondence using the pseudonyms 'Clarinda' and 'Sylvander'.īurns wrote 'Ae fond kiss' after their final meeting and sent it to her on 27 December 1791 before she departed Edinburgh for Jamaica to be with her estranged husband. While there he established a platonic relationship with Mrs. But the poem itself speaks to the theme of the passion and hopelessness of love.Īfter the publication of his collected poems, the Kilmarnock volume, Burns regularly travelled and stayed at Edinburgh. The title itself suggests a love poem, and the dance takes its cue from this happy thought. One of the many dances inspired by Robert Burns' poetry, this particular poem is three stanzas originally written in 1791 as a letter.

Ae fond kiss robert burns