Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
164 / 519
Public-domain lyrics

Farewell thou Stream

Robert Burns

“Farewell thou Stream” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 164 1887 · historical text
Public domainScottish songSong lyrics
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Poetical Works of Robert Burns, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Farewell, thou stream that winding flows

Around Eliza's dwelling!

O Mem'ry! spare the cruel throes

Within my bosom swelling:

Condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain,

And yet in secret languish,

To feel a fire in ev'ry vein,

Nor dare disclose my anguish.

Verse 2

Love's veriest wretch, unseen, unknown,

I fain my griefs would cover:

The bursting sigh, th' unweeting groan,

Betray the hapless lover.

I know thou doom'st me to despair,

Nor wilt nor canst relieve me;

But oh, Eliza, hear one prayer,

For pity's sake forgive me!

Verse 3

The music of thy voice I heard,

Nor wist while it enslav'd me;

I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd,

Till fears no more had sav'd me:

Th' unwary sailor thus aghast,

The wheeling torrent viewing,

'Mid circling horrors sinks at last

In overwhelming ruin.

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns. Historical text published in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887), “Farewell thou Stream”

Every text in this 1887 collected edition is by Robert Burns (1759-1796), who died more than 230 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination and a pre-1931 United States publication.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
Keep tracing

More from Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics.

01A Rose-budPublic-domain lyrics02A red, red RosePublic-domain lyrics03Address to a LadyPublic-domain lyrics04AdieuPublic-domain lyrics