Traditional – Robert Burns, 1759–1796 
Arrangement by Jennifer Mylod
 

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!

And who shall say – that fortune grieves him     
While the star of hope she leaves him?     
For me – no cheerful – twinkle lights me,     
Just dark despair -around- be-nights me.

Had we never loved so kindly…     
And had we never loved – so blindly,     
Had never met -or never parted,     
We’d have ne’er been broken – hearted.

So fare thee well, my first and fairest,     
Fare thee well, my best and dearest!     
For thine be every joy and treasure,     
Peace, enjoyment, love, and pleasure!

Scotland’s national bard – Robert Burns, wrote this song in December of 1791 for Mrs. Agnes Craig McLehose, who was sailing from Scotland for Jamaica. He sent her these verses – set to the tune of “Rory Dall’s Port”. He died a few years later, at the age of 37.

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I am a young maiden, my story is sad… 
For once I was carefree – in love with a lad.
He courted me sweetly – by night and by day, 
Ah but now – he has left me – and sailed far away.

CHORUS: Oh if – I was a black bird – could whistle and sing. 
I’d follow the vessel -that my true love sails in. 
And in the top rigging – I would there build my nest. 
And I’d flutter – my wings – o’r his broad, golden chest.

He offered to take me to Donnybrook Fair 
And buy me fine ribbons, to tie them up – in my hair.
And he offered to marry – and to stay by my side,
Ah but then – in the morning – he sailed – with the tide… Chorus

My parents they chide me – they will not agree 
Saying me and my true love – to be married – won’t be. 
Ah but let them deprive me – let them do – what they will 
While there’s breath in my body, he’s the one I want still… chorus
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Maggie
(When you and I were Young, Maggie)
Traditional
Arragement by Jennifer Mylod
I wandered today – to the hill, Maggie.
To watch the scene – below.
The creek, and the rusty old Mill, Maggie
Where we wandered in the long – long ago…

The green grass is gone – from the hill, Maggie
Where once the wild – daisies sprung…
The rusty old Mill, now is still, Maggie
Since you and I – were young…

They say – I am feeble with age, Maggie
My step not as sprite-ly – as then…
My face is a well – written page, Maggie
And time alone… was the pen.

They say we are aged and grey… Maggie
As spray the wild breakers flung…
But to me – you’re as fair as you were, Maggie
When you and I – were young…
When you and I – were young…

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