Some of the song's lyrics parallel those of Robert Burns' "A Red, Red Rose", and some are strikingly similar to a folk song titled, "My Dear Mary Ann" that dates from the mid-19th century.
The song has been recorded as "Ten Thousand Miles" by Nic Jones as well as by Joan Baez (on her 1960 debut album) and many others.
Ten Thousand Miles
Altan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Farewell for a while
I am going away but I'll be back
If I go ten thousand miles
Ten thousand miles, my own true love
Ten thousand miles or more
And the rocks may melt and the seas may burn
Oh don't you see yon lonesome dove
Sitting on yon ivy tree
She is weeping for her own true love
As I shall weep for mine
Oh come back, my own true love
And stay a while with me
If I had a friend all on this earth
You have been a friend to me
Altan's "Ten Thousand Miles" is a poignant and emotional ballad about love and distance. The lyrics tell the story of a lover who is leaving their true love to travel "ten thousand miles" away. The lyricist assures their love that they will return eventually but realizes that the distance may be too great and that tragedy may occur preventing their return.
The first verse is a goodbye to their true love, indicating that they may be gone for some time but will return eventually. The second verse reinforces this sentiment, pleading for their love to wait for them, even if it means waiting for ten thousand miles or more. However, the final verse is a realization that they may not return at all, comparing their possible fate to that of the lonesome dove weeping for her own true love. Despite this realization, they still long for their true love to come back and stay with them, embracing them as the closest friend they have in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Fare you well, my own true love
I bid farewell to you, my beloved
Farewell for a while
This farewell is temporary
I am going away but I'll be back
Despite my departure, I'll return
If I go ten thousand miles
I'll travel far and wide, but I'll return
Ten thousand miles, my own true love
Far away I'll go, my beloved
Ten thousand miles or more
My travels will take me far beyond
And the rocks may melt and the seas may burn
Even if the impossible happens
If I no more return
If I don't come back
Oh don't you see yon lonesome dove
Do you notice that lonely bird
Sitting on yon ivy tree
Perched atop the ivy tree
She is weeping for her own true love
The dove cries for her own beloved
As I shall weep for mine
Just as I will cry for you
Oh come back, my own true love
Return to me, my dearest
And stay a while with me
Spend time with me
If I had a friend all on this earth
If I had a friend anywhere in the world
You have been a friend to me
You are that friend to me
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: . TRADITIONAL, JIM MORAY, RICHARD STORRS WILLIS, STORRS WILLIS RICHARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind