Braw Sailin' on the Sea
Braw Sailin' on the Sea: A Tale of Love, Regret, and Tempestuous Seas
Lyrics
There cam a letter yestreen
Receiving a letter yesterday evening
Oor ship mon sail the morn
Our ship must sail tomorrow
'Alas' cried the bonnie lass
Expressing sorrow or regret; the girl laments her existence
That ever I was born
Reflecting on the unfortunate circumstances of her birth
And it's braw sailin on the sea
Beautiful sailing experience at sea
When wind and weather's fair
Enjoyable when the wind and weather are favorable
It's better tae be in my love's airms
Expressing a preference to be in the arms of a loved one
O gin that I were there
Desire to be with the lover
He's cam tae her fairm hoose
He has come to her farmhouse
At twelve o'clock at noon
Arrival at noon
The lassie being proud-hearted
The girl is proud and unwilling to let him in
She would not let him in
Her refusal to allow him entry
And it's braw sailin on the sea
Reiteration of the beauty of sailing when conditions are good
When wind and weather's fair
Emphasizing the joy of favorable wind and weather
It's better tae be in my love's airms
Preferable to be in the embrace of the lover
O gin that I were there
Expressing the desire to be with the lover
He's taen the ring from his pocket
He presents a ring, a valuable gift
It cost him guineas three
The cost of the ring is three guineas
Sayin 'Tak ye that my bonnie lass
Giving the ring and asking her to remember him
And aye think weel o' me'
Encouraging positive thoughts about him
And she's taen the ring from her pocket
She returns the ring, a less expensive one
It cost her shillings nine
The cost of her ring is nine shillings
Sayin 'Tak ye that my bonnie lad
Returning the gesture, asking him to remember her
For I hae changed my mind'
Changing her mind about the relationship
And it's braw sailin on the sea
Reiteration of the joy of sailing in favorable conditions
When wind and weather's fair
Highlighting the pleasure of good wind and weather
It's better tae be in my love's airms
Preference for being in the lover's arms
O gin that I were there
Expressing the desire to be with the lover
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