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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TRUE UNTIL DEATH by ROBERT BURNS

Poet Analysis

First Line: IT WAS A' FOR OUR RIGHTFU' KING
Last Line: THE LEE-LANG NIGHT, AND WEEP.
Subject(s): ABSENCE; COURAGE; SEPARATION; ISOLATION; VALOR; BRAVERY;

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 --
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,
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,
With, Adieu for evermore,
My dear --
With, Adieu for evermore!

The sodger frae the wars returns,
The sailor frae the main;
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,
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.



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