Canasg Choral Music Publishing

Canasg Music

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SG1001

Ae fond kiss

words by Robert Burns (1759-1796)
tune traditional, arranged by Frances Cockburn

for soprano, alto, tenor and bass chorus
with quartet verse

SATB performance time approx 3m 00s

Composer's note

This is a simply gorgeous and heartbreaking love song, based on a real parting between Burns and an unhappily married woman called Nancy Maclehose. Burns and Maclehose were never lovers, but corresponded, until she left Scotland to join her husband in the West Indies.

I have not marked many dynamics but the piece should be sung with great expression. A recording by Rudsambee company of singers is available on their album bottled at source (RUBEECD003).


Music

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Hear a MIDI file of the song


Words

Ae fond kiss

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever! [one]
Ae fareweel, and then for ever! [farewell]
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 chearfu' twinkle lights me;[no cheerful]
Dark despair around benights me.

Had we never lov'd sae kindly,[so]
Had we never lov'd sae blindly,
Never met - or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.

Fare thee weel, thou first and fairest! [well]
Fare thee weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,[every]
Peace, Enjoyment, Love, and Pleasure!

Robert Burns


Price

The price of this piece depends on the number of singers in your group. This is a single payment for a licence to make as many copies as you need for your group to rehearse and perform the song as often as you wish. Copies of the song must not be given, lent or sold to any other group.

Number of singers in your group
up to 12 singers13 to 24 singers25 singers or more
£5 (approx US$8.00)
£10 (approx US$16)
£15 (approx US$24)
Please note that your Paypal transaction will be in sterling but it should automatically
be converted if your credit card draws on a different currency.

Companion pieces

Browse the Scots and Gaelic section of the Canasg catalogue for more songs like this one. To go there now, click on the 'catalogue' box to the right.
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Canasg Choral Music Publishing

Canasg Music




16 Morningside Park Edinburgh Scotland EH10 5HB

475 Walhalla Road Columbus Ohio OH 43202


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ã Page updated by Peter Hill April 2006