Softly Now the Burn Is Rushing
Whispers of Love in Heather's Embrace
Lyrics
Softly now the burn is rushing
There is a gentle and quiet intensity in the emotion, possibly related to love or longing.
Every lark its song is hushing
The usual lively and cheerful sounds of nature are subdued or silenced.
On the moor thick rest is falling
A peaceful stillness is descending on the moor.
Just one heather-blade is calling
Amid the tranquility, a single heather-blade makes a subtle call or gesture.
Calling, calling, lonely, lonely
Repeatedly calling out in a lonely manner, emphasizing a sense of solitude.
For my darling, for my only
The calls express a yearning for a loved one, perhaps a significant other.
Trotting home, my dearie, dearie
Returning home with affection for a dear person.
Wee black lamb comes, wearie, wearie
A tired, little black lamb is coming home, displaying weariness.
Here its soft feet pit-a-patting
The lamb's soft footsteps are audibly gentle.
Quickly o’er the flowery matting
Quickly moving over a flowery mat, suggesting a hurried but delicate motion.
See its brown-black eyes a-blinking
The lamb's eyes blink, possibly indicating innocence or curiosity.
Of its bed it’s surely thinking
The lamb is likely contemplating its bed, implying a sense of routine or familiarity.
The hens to roost wee Nora’s shooing
Nora is guiding hens to roost, signifying the end of the day.
Brindley in the byre is mooing
Brindley, possibly a cow, is making a sound in the byre, contributing to the evening scene.
The tired-out cricket’s quit its calling
The cricket has stopped chirping, indicating a quiet night.
Velvet sleep on all is falling
A soft and velvety sleep is falling on everything.
Lark and cow, and sheep and starling
Nature, including lark, cow, sheep, and starling, is experiencing the soothing effects of sleep.
Feel it kiss our white-haired darling
The tranquility is felt as a gentle kiss on a white-haired darling, possibly a child or an elderly person.
Lark and cow
Repetition of the earlier mentioned natural elements (lark, cow, sheep, starling).
And sheep and starling
Repetition of the idea of calling, highlighting the persistent sense of loneliness.
Calling, calling
Reiterating the theme of loneliness through repeated calls.
Lonely, lonely
Emphasizing solitude once again, creating a strong emotional atmosphere.
Rest is falling
The stillness is deepening, contributing to a sense of rest.
Song is hushing
The song of nature is fading, adding to the overall quietude.
Rest is falling
Repetition of the idea that rest is settling in.
Song is hushing
Repetition of the idea that the song is diminishing, reinforcing the calming atmosphere.
Rest is falling
A final emphasis on the peaceful descent of rest.
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