Karan cover pic

Ae Fond Kiss

(Words: Robert Burns/Music: Trad. Arr. Karan Casey/Caoimhín Vallely/Kate Ellis)


Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae farewell, and then forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.


Who’s say that Fortune grieves him,
While the star of hope she leaves him?
Me, no cheerful twinkle lights me,
Dark despair around benights me.


I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy:
Nothing could resist my Nancy!
But to see her was to love her
Love but her, and love forever.


Had we never loved so kindly,
Had we never loved so blindly,
Never met - or never parted -
We’d ne'er been so broken-hearted.


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


Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae farewell, alas, forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.