For some people, the past is another country and for Burns who was growing up in the late 18th century, the ancient Highlands of Scotland certainly were, not only in terms of geographical distance, but also politically and historically, since there was a wide gulf fuelled by the Jacobite rebellions.
However, as this northern part of the country was equally Scottish, as well as a natural masterpiece, it was an overwhelming temptation for the poet who wanted to explore the "green valleys, wild-hanging woods and loud-pouring floods," and move away from his life as a farmer. His journeys to the Highlands were an inspiration for a number of poems on these themes.
Standard English Translation
Chorus
My heart is in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart is in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,
A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe -
My heart is in the Highlands, wherever I go!
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birthplace of valour, the country of worth!
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
Farewell to the mountains high covered with snow,
Farewell to the broad valleys and green valleys below,
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods!
Chorus
My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,
A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe -
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go!
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birthplace of valour, the country of worth!
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
Farewell to the mountains high cover'd with snow,
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below,
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods!