Ae Fond Kiss

By Robert Burns

Lyric Poem
    Tune - "Rory Dall's Port." I.         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. II.         I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy,         Naething could resist my Nancy;         But to see her, was to love her;         Love but her, and love for ever.         Had we never lov'd sae kindly,         Had we never lov'd sae blindly,         Never met, or never parted,         We had ne'er been broken hearted. III.         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 farewell, alas! for ever!         Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,         Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem revolves around the themes of love, loss, and longing. The tone is melancholic and filled with an overwhelming sense of regret and despair. The speaker expresses the pain of separation from a beloved and the unbearable weight of their emotions. The structure, divided into three stanzas, effectively captures the evolution of the speaker's feelings, from initial farewell, through reflection on past love, and finally, to deep sorrow.

The poet employs several standout literary devices that lend depth to his work. Repetition is used to emphasize the depth of the speaker's pain and loss - phrases such as "Ae fond kiss, and then we sever," and "Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee, Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee" are repeated to underline the speaker's profound sorrow and the finality of the separation. The poem also features a rhymed quatrain structure, which gives a rhythmic flow to the melancholy tale. The poet’s use of dialect imbues the poem with authenticity and deep emotional resonance, making it feel personal and relatable despite its age. The language, though archaic, gives the poem a timeless quality, reflecting the universal human experiences of love and loss.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.