The Farewell: Poem by Robert Burns

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.

Analysis of this poem