Robert Burns (1759-1796)
It was a' for our Rightful King
1It was a' for our rightful king
2 That we left fair Scotland's strand;
3It was a' for our rightful king
4 We e'er saw Irish land,
5 My dear,
6 We e'er saw Irish land.
7Now a' is done that men can do,
8 And a' is done in vain!
9My love, and native land, fareweel!
10 For I maun cross the main,
11 My dear,
12 For I maun cross the main.
13He turn'd him right and round about,
14 Upon the Irish shore,
15He gave his bridle-reins a shake,
16 With, Adieu for evermore,
17 My dear!
18 And adieu for evermore!
19The soldier frae the war returns,
20 And the merchant frae the main.
21But I hae parted frae my love,
22 Never to meet again,
23 My dear,
24 Never to meet again.
25When day is gone and night is come,
26 And a' folk bound to sleep,
27I think on him that's far awa
28 The lee-lang night, and weep,
29 My dear,
30 The lee-lang night, and weep.
Notes
1] First published anonymously. This poem is supposed to be spoken by a Jacobite. It affords an interesting example of the use which Burns often made of earlier Scottish songs and ballads and is based on the ballad of Mallie Stewart.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: The Scots Musical Museum (1787-1803). Vol. V (1796). Facs. edn.: Scolar Press, 1991. M 1746 J6853 1991 MUSI.
First publication date:
1796
RPO poem editor: G. G. Falle
RP edition: 3RP 2.323.
Recent editing: 4:2002/3/19
Form note: abcbdb
Other poems by Robert Burns
