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SG1001

Ae fond kiss

Music: Frances Cockburn. Words: Robert Burns (1759-1796)
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tune traditional, arranged for chorus with quartet verse and optional soli
SATBperformance time approx 3m 00s
See a perusal copy (PDF format) of the music.
This copy is not licensed for rehearsal, performance or recording.
Hear a performance or a MIDI rendering of Ae fond kiss
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).
full pronunciation guide included

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

Purchase – 1001: Ae fond kiss

The price 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. You can also re-print - for instance, to replace copies that get lost or worn out.

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