The Farewell


Farewell, old Scotia's bleak domains, Far dearer than the torrid plains, Where rich ananas blow! Farewell, a mother's blessing dear! A brother's sigh! a sister's tear! My Jean's heart-rending throe! Farewell, my Bess! tho' thou'rt bereft Of my paternal care, A faithful brother I have left, My part in him thou'lt share! Adieu, too, to you too, My Smith, my bosom frien'; When kindly you mind me, O then befriend my Jean! What bursting anguish tears my heart; From thee, my Jeany, must I part! Thou, weeping, answ'rest - 'No!' Alas! misfortune stares my face, And points to ruin and disgrace, I for thy sake must go! Thee, Hamilton, and Aiken dear, A grateful, warm adieu: I, with a much-indebted tear, Shall still remember you! All hail then, the gale then, Wafts me from thee, dear shore! It rustles, and whistles I'll never see thee more!

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John Cairney

About this work

This is a song by Robert Burns. It was written in 1786 and is read here by John Cairney.

More about this song

Burns composed 'The Farewell' in 1786. At the time of composition Burns was planning to emigrate to Jamaica.

Earlier that year, Burns had contracted an irregular marriage with Jean Armour who was pregnant with the poet's twins. Jean Armour's parents disapproved of the union and took steps to dissolve it by destroying what Burns later referred to as an 'unlucky paper' (the document that articulated the couple's intentions). Jean's parents then sent her to Paisley to distance her from the poet and to conceal her pregnancy for as long as possible.

That Burns felt a sense of alienation following these events is apparent from the second stanza: 'Alas! Misfortune stares my face,/ And points to ruin and disgrace'. Likewise, the poet's concern for Jean's welfare under such precarious circumstances is evident: 'When kindly you mind me,/ O then befriend my Jean!'

Robert Burns was eventually dissuaded from emigrating by the success of his Kilmarnock Edition (1786) and the promise of a further edition to be published in Edinburgh.

Pauline Mackay

Themes for this song

unhappiness

Selected for 08 March

In the romantically, economically and artistically fraught March of 1786, Burns was thinking seriously about a new life in Jamaica. The would-be emigrant has parting words for his illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth, and for Jean Armour, whom he consigns to the care of James Smith. In the event, Burns did not have to say goodbye: the success of the Kilmarnock Edition saw to that.

Donny O'Rourke

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