505. The Farewell

IT was a’ for our rightfu’ King
We left fair Scotland’s strand;
It was a’ for our rightfu’ King
We e’er saw Irish land,
My dear—	5
We e’er saw Irish land.

Now a’ is done that men can do,
And a’ is done in vain;
My love and native land, farewell,
For I maun cross the main,	10
My dear—
For I maun cross the main.

He turn’d him right and round about
Upon the Irish shore;
And gae his bridle-reins a shake,	15
With, Adieu for evermore,
My dear—
With, Adieu for evermore!

The sodger frae the wars returns,
The sailor frae the main;	20
But I hae parted frae my love,
Never to meet again,
My dear—
Never to meet again.

When day is gane, and night is come,	25
And a’ folk bound to sleep,
I think on him that ‘s far awa’,
The lee-lang night, and weep,
My dear—
The lee-lang night, and weep.	30

GLOSS: lee-lang] livelong.