Farewell, adieu, my darling friend,
I fear we not again to meet.
As is, as always, all must end,
as sure as death, we all must greet.
I’ll tarry not for parting pains
these thoughts that haunt in losing you.
Come, take yourself, leave what remains,
and ne’er again come hither to.
’Tis eve upon the ebbing tide,
these sails will take you into night.
When come the morn, the ocean wide
will find you in some fairer light.
Your destiny, I understand
though give me time to comprehend.
Come morrow and the morrow and…
to be without my dear sweet friend.
I fear, I not, not as I should
as brave as you that I should dare.
For I with you, I surely would
but I afeared what yonder there.
As is with folk, would stay, depart,
would outward bound or die at home.
Leave me to be, oblige your heart,
this day would come for sure, I’ve known.
The tears you shed, I shed in kind,
go now and seek them calmer climes.
This cursed place you leave behind,
where we have borne but bitter times.
When find you on some foreign shore,
dare not look back, no letters send.
What once we had, alas, no more;
farewell to you, for we must end.