Robert Burns' "A Toast to One I Love Dear"

Translation

A Toast to One I Love Dear

Here’s a toast to
one I love dear,

Here’s a toast to
one I love dear;

You are sweet as
the smile when fond lovers meet,

And soft as their
parting tear,

Jessy—

And soft as their
parting tear!

Although you must
never be mine,

Although even hope
is denied;

It’s sweeter for
your despairing,

Than ought in the
world beside,

Jessy—

Than ought in the
world beside.

I mourn through
the joyous, gaudy, day,

As hopeless I muse
on your charms;

But welcome the
dream of sweet slumber,

For then I am
locked in your arms,

Jessy—

For then I am
locked in your arms!

I guess by the
dear angel smile,

I guess by the
love-rolling eye;

But why urge the
tender confession,

With Fortune’s
fell, cruel decree?

Jessy—

With Fortune’s
fell, cruel decree!

Comments

This
is a song and toast dedicated to Jessy Lewars, Robert Burns’ nurse while he
suffered from an illness that ultimately killed him, possibly a rheumatic heart
condition. Although he loved her dear and her despair for his condition made
him even fonder of her, she could never be his, as he knew the illness would
take his life; his only consolation was the dreams of being with her when he
fell asleep.

Original

A Health to Ane I Loe Dear

Chorus

Here’s a health to ane I loe dear,

Here’s a health to ane I loe dear;

Thou art sweet as the smile when fond lovers meet,

And soft as their parting tear-Jessy.

Altho’ thou maun never be mine,

Altho’ even hope is denied;

‘Tis sweeter for thee despairing,

Than ought in the world beside-Jessy.

Here’s a health, &c.

I mourn thro’ the gay, gaudy day,

As hopeless I muse on thy charms;

But welcome the dream o’ sweet slumber,

For then I am lockt in thine arms-Jessy.

Here’s a health, &c.

I guess by the dear angel smile,

I guess by the love-rolling e’e;

But why urge the tender confession,

‘Gainst Fortune’s fell, cruel decree?-Jessy.

Here’s a health, &c.

Robert Burns’ “A Toast to One I Love Dear”

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