Saying goodbye to Ravelrig, the speaker admits he can’t leave without a heavy heart. He recalls the happy, innocent days of his youth spent around its hillsides, where streams murmured, trees shaded the slopes, and flowers sweet enough to feed the bees bloomed. Birds sang lightly on the wing, and a deep, conscious peace seemed to live inside the mansion. These memories carry a quiet ache, the kind that comes from knowing such simple, perfect times are gone. The poem ends with a kind blessing: rest for the former owner, and a long, joyful life for the one who now calls it home. The mood is tender and wistful, like a sunlit farewell to a place that will always feel like home.
Farewell to Ravelrig — Summary
Sweet Ravelrig, I ne'er could part From thee, but wi' a dowie heart. When I think on the happy days I spent in youth about your braes, When innocence my steps did guide, Where murmuring streams did sweetly glide Beside the braes well stored wi' trees, And sweetest flow'rs that fend the bees:
And there the tuneful tribe doth sing, While lightly flitting on the wing; And conscious peace was ever found Within your mansion to abound. Sweet be thy former owner's rest, And peace to him that's now possess't Of all thy beauties great and small, Lang may he live to bruik them all!