The final track is a well known Robert Burns song. My favorite recording of this song is by Dochas. I believe Julie Fowlis is the singer on this track. Both the group and the individual are worth looking up. Their recording never ever fails to bring tears to my eyes. Just look at the words in the last two verses. Of all the loves we leave behind, to be able to be grateful for the broken heart and wish the other a fare thee well.... That's just beautiful.
EJ Jones made a special small pipe chanter just for this song. I wanted to sing it in B which is not a friendly traditional instrument key. Being a bagpipe maker and music lover, he accepted the challenge without one word of hesitation. I think it was worth it.
Ae fond kiss and then we
sever
Ae fareweel, alas, forever
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
I'll ne'er blame my partial
fancy
Naethin' could resist my
Nancy
But to see her was to love
her
Love but her and love
forever
Had we never loved sae
kindly
Had we never loved sae
blindly
Never met nor never parted
We would never be
broken-hearted
Fare thee well, thou first
and fairest
Fare thee well, thou best
and dearest
Thine be ilka joy and
treasure
Peace, enjoyment, love and pleasure