Amazing grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

16. “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” is one of the most famous songs that Robert Burns wrote and first published in 1794. Burns wrote it as a traditional ballad, four verses of four lines each. Burns referred to it as a “simple old Scots song which I had picked up in the country.”

The lyrics of the song are simple but effective. “My luve's like a red, red rose/That’s newly sprung in June” describe a love that is both fresh and long lasting. David Daiches in his work describes Burns as “the greatest songwriter Britain has produced” for his work in improving traditional Scots songs including “Red, Red Rose” which he described as a “combination of tenderness and swagger.”

Burns worked for the final ten years of his life on projects to preserve traditional Scottish songs for the future.

A red, red rose

(Words by Robert Burns)

O my Luve's like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June; O my Luve's like the melodie That’s sweetly play'd in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I: And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry: Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun: I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only Luve And fare thee weel, a while! And I will come again, my Luve, Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

Перевод д. Тим

1.

Любовь моя – как роза с цветущего куста! Без фальши и без позы - как песенка проста! Сколь ты собой прекрасна - верна любовь моя, и смерти неподвластна, - хоть высохнут моря! Пусть высохнут все воды, рассыплется гранит!.. Пусть жизнь считает годы, - душа любовь хранит! Иду вслед за судьбою, но знай, что в бурю, в штиль, чтоб снова быть с тобою - пройду сто тысяч миль!

2. Прекрасней красных свежих роз цветёт любовь во мне! Звучит мотивом сладких грёз в настроенной струне! Сколь ты сверкаешь красотой – в любви столь крепок я! Любовь к тебе – всегда со мной, хоть высохнут моря! Пусть высохнут моря вокруг, сотрутся камни гор, - любовь останется, мой друг, - она прочней всего! И не прощаюсь я теперь! Вернусь к тебе опять – хоть десять тысяч миль, поверь, пришлось бы прошагать!

“You learn a lot about people when you listen to the songs that mean something to them.”