'Ae Fond Kiss'

Twenty seventh "jamming" session with Burns' poem "Ae Fond Kiss", nowadays customarily sung on John Michael Diack's tune (founded on an old Scottish air). Jamming with Robyn Stapleton has been joyful for me - she produces such understated harmonies - truly eatherial!

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, and then, for ever!
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 cheerfu' twinkle lights me,
Dark despair around benights me.
I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy;
Naething could resist my Nancy;
For to see her was to love her,
Love but her, and love for ever.
Had we never loved sae kindly,
Had we never loved sae blindly,
Never met—or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.
Fare thee weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare thee weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, enjoyment, love, and pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!

During the second national lockdown I felt I needed to be connected, even if only with the music of others (past and present). Hence, I cheekily decided to utilize the talents of musicians, so as to feel connected to the wider concept of belonging. No woman is an island...

This is not a video made for profit - it is simply art therapy in action.