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A Red, Red, Rose
Robert Burns' famous poem A Red, Red, Rose is a beautiful expression of a love that is deep, devoted, and lasting. Using the simple beauty of a newly opened rose and the sweetness of music, Burns describes just how much the woman he loves means to him.
What I especially like about this poem is the certainty in his words. He does not simply say that he loves her; he promises that his love will remain even if the seas should dry and the rocks should melt in the sun. His comparisons may be dramatic, but they leave no doubt about the depth of his feelings.
The final verse also reminds us that love can remain strong even when two people must be apart. Burns says farewell for a time, but promises that he will return, even if the journey is ten thousand miles. Written many years ago, the poem still expresses feelings that anyone who has deeply loved and missed someone can understand.
May this classic poem remind you to cherish the person you love and never take for granted the gift of having someone who holds such a special place in your heart.
Updated September 28, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
A Red, Red, Rose
Poet: Robert Burns
Oh, my luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June!
Oh, 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,
And 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 awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile.
Key Reflections In This Poem
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Love Brings Beauty To Life
Burns compares his love to a newly opened red rose and a beautiful melody. His words remind us how love can bring beauty, happiness, and sweetness into our lives.
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True Love Is Deep
The poet leaves no doubt about how strongly he feels for the woman he loves. His promise to love her until the seas run dry expresses a devotion that goes far beyond a passing feeling.
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Love Can Endure Through Time
Burns uses images of seas drying and rocks melting to describe a love that seems without end. His words remind us that lasting love is strengthened by commitment as the years pass.
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Distance Does Not Have To Weaken Love
Even though the poet must say farewell, he promises that he will return. Being apart can be difficult, but genuine love can remain strong across both time and distance.
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Tell People How Much They Mean To You
The poem openly expresses affection and devotion without holding anything back. It is a good reminder to let the people we love know how important they are to us while we have the opportunity.
Popular Pages
Discover more poems and quotes about falling in love, lasting devotion, missing someone special, and celebrating the love you share.
Celebrate the happiness and tenderness of romance with these Poems About Being In Love, filled with words that express what it means to have someone special in your life.
Read As Life Grows Shorter, Love Grows Stronger for a touching reminder that genuine love can deepen and become even more precious as the years pass.
The poem Close By You celebrates the happiness found simply in being near the person you love and sharing life's moments together.
When miles separate you from someone special, these I Miss You Poems put into words the longing that comes from wishing you could be together again.
For a lighter look at the familiar rose theme, enjoy these Funny Roses Are Red Poems that add a little humor to expressions of love.
Share a rose and a thoughtful message with someone special using these Rose Day Quotes about love, friendship, and appreciation.
Conclusion
A Red, Red, Rose has remained a favorite love poem because the feelings Robert Burns expresses are as meaningful today as they were when he wrote them. Love may be difficult to measure, but Burns finds memorable ways to describe its depth, comparing it to the beauty of a rose and promising that it will last longer than seems possible.
The poem also reminds us that being separated from someone does not mean love must fade. Burns may have to say farewell, but his promise to return shows a heart that remains committed despite the distance between them.
May this poem remind you to appreciate the love in your own life. Tell that special person what they mean to you, cherish the time you have together, and remember that a love that is cared for can continue to grow through both the joys and challenges of life.
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