A Song.- Tune, Roslin Cattle.
1.
The gloomy night is gath'ring fast,
Loud roars the wild, inconstant blast,
Yon murky cloud is foul with rain,
I see it driving o'er the plain:
The Hunter now has left the moor,
The scattred coveys meet secure;
While here I wander, prest with care
Along the lonely banks of Aire.
2.
The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn
By early Winter's ravage torn;
Across her placid, azure sky,
She sees the scowling tempest fly.
The whistling storm affrightens me;
I think upon the raging sea.
Where many a danger I must dare.
Far from the bonie banks of Aire!
3.
'Tis not the surging billow's roar;
'Tis not that fatal, deadly shore;
Tho Death in ev'ry shape appear.
The wretched have no more to fear:
1.
The gloomy night is gath'ring fast,
Loud roars the wild, inconstant blast,
Yon murky cloud is foul with rain,
I see it driving o'er the plain:
The Hunter now has left the moor,
The scattred coveys meet secure;
While here I wander, prest with care
Along the lonely banks of Aire.
2.
The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn
By early Winter's ravage torn;
Across her placid, azure sky,
She sees the scowling tempest fly.
The whistling storm affrightens me;
I think upon the raging sea.
Where many a danger I must dare.
Far from the bonie banks of Aire!
3.
'Tis not the surging billow's roar;
'Tis not that fatal, deadly shore;
Tho Death in ev'ry shape appear.
The wretched have no more to fear:
But round my heart the ties are bound;
That heart transpierc'd with many a wound;
Those bleed afresh, these ties I tear,
To leave the bonie banks of Aire.
4.
Farewel, old Coila's hills and dales!
Her heathy moors, and winding vales!
The scenes where wretched Fancy roves,
Pursuing past, unhappy loves!
Farewel my friends, farewel my foes!
My love with these, my peace with those;
These bursting tears my heart declare -
Farewel, the bonie banks of Aire!
___________________
That heart transpierc'd with many a wound;
Those bleed afresh, these ties I tear,
To leave the bonie banks of Aire.
4.
Farewel, old Coila's hills and dales!
Her heathy moors, and winding vales!
The scenes where wretched Fancy roves,
Pursuing past, unhappy loves!
Farewel my friends, farewel my foes!
My love with these, my peace with those;
These bursting tears my heart declare -
Farewel, the bonie banks of Aire!
___________________
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/180
- Alt. number
- 3.6275.b
- Date
- 1786
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Stewart, Mrs Alexander
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/180
- Alt. number
- 3.6275.b
- Date
- 1786
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Stewart, Mrs Alexander
Description
The gloomy night is gath'ring fast, part of the Stair manuscript collection.
This poem was written by Burns at a time in 1786 when he had arranged to emigrate to Jamaica and was the one which he expected to be "my last song I should ever measure in Caledonia". He is in a mood of depression as he contemplates his farming and other domestic problems which had led to his decision to leave his native soil.
In the first page Burns describes walking along the Banks of the river Ayr, the heavy clouds threaten rain and the harvest is late and wind-torn. He reflects on the dangers of his planned voyage at sea or on landing and contemplates the peace of mind that death would bring.
In this final page Burns continues to express his personal heartrending hurt and in his mind says farewell to the Ayrshire landscape and bids adieu to friends and foes alike in tearful reconciliation.
Before the success of the Kilmarnock edition of his poems was realised, Burns was all set to go to Jamaica to aid his fortunes. On leaving his friend Rev. Dr George Lawrie's house he was filled with foreboding and melancholy. As usual at this time he transferred his mood to perspicacious verse.
In this final page Burns continues to express his personal heartrending hurt and in his mind says farewell to the Ayrshire landscape and bids adieu to friends and foes alike in tearful reconciliation.
Before the success of the Kilmarnock edition of his poems was realised, Burns was all set to go to Jamaica to aid his fortunes. On leaving his friend Rev. Dr George Lawrie's house he was filled with foreboding and melancholy. As usual at this time he transferred his mood to perspicacious verse.
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- The gloomy night is gath'ring fast