Having been rejected at his first attempt to marry Jean Armour, Burns planned to emigrate to Jamaica with his new love, Mary Campbell, a maidservant to his good friend, Gavin Hamilton.
Having met on the Banks of the Fail Water near where it joins the river Ayr, they exchanged bibles over the running water, thus pledging themselves to each other.Mary went home to her parents in Campbeltown, thence to wait with relatives in the port of Greenock. From there, she and Robert would travel together to the New World. Tragically, she fell ill and died before her dream could be realised. She was interred in Greenock Cemetery in October 1786. With the success of his Kilmarnock edition Burns decided against emigrating. Although distracted by the prospect of even greater success, he was greatly affected by Mary's death and wrote many lines of regret and guilt.
Wi' monie a vow and lock'd embrace
Our parting was fu' tender;
And, pledging aft to meet again,
We tore oursels asunder;
But O! fell death's untimely frost,
That nipt my flower sae early!
Now green's the sod, and cauld's the clay,
That wraps my Highland Mary!
Highland Mary
(circa 1789)
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