From verse to music and from Burns to Eva Cassidy, Izzy and recently, Bob Dylan, this is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written, establishing Burns as one of the greatest song writers Britain has produced. It was first published in 1794 in the form of a traditional ballad and described by the poet himself as a "simple old Scots song which he had picked up in the country."
Burns compares his love with a springtime blooming rose and a sweet melody, "that's newly sprung in June," meaning that this love is fresh and long lasting. But, as the passage of time leaves nothing on its way, the rose of his love will decay and change with time, resulting in the poet's farewell and promise of return.
It is not known whether Burns was heartedly in love when he wrote these words, but no one could fail to be captivated by this tribute to love, vigorous spirit and eternity of life.
Standard English Translation
O, my love is like a red, red rose,
That is newly sprung in June.
O, my love is like the melody,
That is sweetly played in tune.
As fair are you, my lovely lass,
So deep in love am I,
And I will love you still, my Dear,
Till all the seas go dry.
Till all the seas go dry, my Dear,
And the rocks melt with the sun!
O I will love you still, my Dear,
While the sands of life shall run.
And fare you well, my only Love,
And fare you well a while!
And I will come again, my Love,
Although it were ten thousand mile!
O, my luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, my luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I,
And I will luve thee still, my Dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my Dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun!
O I will luve thee still, my Dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile!