Autumn has painted the Catrine woods yellow, wilted the flowers, and silenced the larks. Amid the decay, Maria—still in her own beauty’s bloom—sings a farewell to the braes of Ballochmyle, and the echoes ring with it. The speaker then turns to the sleeping flowers and quiet birds, assuring them they will return fresh and vocal next spring. But for himself, there is no such promise: “for me nae mair / Shall birdie charm, or floweret smile.” The farewell becomes deeply personal, not just to a place but to a time of joy that can never be revived. The mood is tender and heavy with a sorrow that feels permanent, as natural as autumn but far more lonely.
73. Song—Farewell to Ballochmyle — Summary
THE CATRINE woods were yellow seen, The flowers decay’d on Catrine lee, Nae lav’rock sang on hillock green, But nature sicken’d on the e’e. Thro’ faded groves Maria sang, Hersel’ in beauty’s bloom the while; And aye the wild-wood ehoes rang, Fareweel the braes o’ Ballochmyle!
Low in your wintry beds, ye flowers, Again ye’ll flourish fresh and fair; Ye birdies dumb, in with’ring bowers, Again ye’ll charm the vocal air. But here, alas! for me nae mair Shall birdie charm, or floweret smile; Fareweel the bonie banks of Ayr, Fareweel, fareweel! sweet Ballochmyle!