^oi. d
U
ofiV"'
THE GLEN COLLECTION
OF SCOTTISH MUSIC
Presented by Lady Dorothea Ruggles-
Brise to the National Library of Scotland,
in mempry of her brother. Major Lord
George Stewart Murray, Black Watch,
killed in action in France in 1914.
2Bth Januavi/ 1927.
o^
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2011 with funding from
National Library of Scotland
http://www.archive.org/details/scotsmusicalmuse05john
X — ^
THE SCOTISH
MUSICAL MUSEU
^ W 'C'iAi^' JL- O-J- — <4p-
rONSISTING OF UPWARDS
OF SIX HUNDRED SONGS,
PROPER BASSES FOR THE PIANOFORTE.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED
BY JAMES JOHNSON;
AND NOW ACCOMPANIED WITH
COPIOUS NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LYRIC
POETRY AND MUSIC OF SCOTLA"ND,
BY THE LATE WILLIAM STENHOUSE.
WITH SOME
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS.
VOLUME V.
^OFSCOTLAI^D M
WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH
AND THOMAS CADELL, LONDON.
M.DCCC.XXXIX.
Printed Sc S^c/ h/ James ^OlfXSON Mlisu- Selle^r Edinbur GH to k Aad al
tprestonn^PJ' stra/nd London, MfFADYEN Glasgow; & at all t^pnncf//^//
Mufic Sellers. ^-
Ill
PREFACE.
AT the time the Editor publifhed the 4. Volume of this V\brk.heha.j
■erety reafon to believe that five Volumes would be fuffiriciit to con
-tain all tiit^e Scots Songs the merit of which called for publication; But,
owing to the exertions of the late celebrated Scottifh Bard, ihe Work h;is
been enlarged far beyond what was originally expected. To aftcirpt to
defcribc the tafte and abilities of Mr. Burns in his Native Poetr^j, would
be abfurd. The Public are in pofsefsion of his productions which loudij
proclaim his merit. To him is the prefent Collection indebted for al-
-moft all of thefe excellent pieces which it contains. He has not onlj,-
enriched it with a variety of beautiful and original Songs compofed b}
himfelf, but his zeal for the fuccefs of the Scots Mufical Mufeuin pron j>
-ted him to collect and write out accurate Copies of many ^thers in
their genuine fimplicity .Prior to his deceafc, he furnifhed the Editor
with a number, in addition to thofe alreadj' publifhed, greater thaii can
be included in one Volume _To withhold thefe from the public e^e.wouM
be moft improper. And the Editor therefore at the folicitation of man_y
of the Subfcribers,has agreed to publifh them in a Sixth Volume, which
moft certainly will conclude the prefent work. As thefe hovstver will
not fill up a Volume, the Editor means to infert a number of tunes adap
-ted to the Flute, which he is confident many of the Subfcribers will ap
-prove of, Thofe Ladies who Sing and perform upon the Piano F^orte,
fhall be furnifhed with the Songs and Mqfic for their ufe, at a reduced
price, upon application to the Editor. ,,,
To (hew the Public with what extreme anxiety Mr. Burns vNifhed far
the- fuccefs of this Work, the Editor cannot refrain from infciting an
Extract of a letter which he received from that admirable Poet a few
weeks before his death ^In this letter tho* written under the prefsurt
o.f affliction, are alone feen the fervent fentiment and poetical language:
of Burns. The original the Editor will chearfully fhew to his fubfcribers
'iHow are you* my Dear Friend? and how comes on ^our Fifth Volume;'
* You may probably think that for fome time paft I have -neglected .^ ou &
"your work; but, alas, the hand of pain, and forrow, apd care has thefe
"many months lain heavj' on ,mei Perfonal and domeftic affliction have
"almoft entirely banifhed that alacrity and life with which I ufed to woo
"the rural Mufe of Scotia, In the mean time, let us finilh whatweha\e
"fo well begun. _The gentleman, Mr. L s, a particulalr friend of mine,
''will bring out any proofs ^if they are read;) -^ or any mefsage you m:y
'have. "Farewel'
"R. BURNS?
"You fhould have had this when Mr. L _s called on you, but his faddle -
"bags mifcarried. I am extremely anxious for your work, as indtcd T
"am for every thing concerning ^t)u and jour welfare,
"Many a meriy meeting this Publication has given us, »nd pofsiblj it maj,
"give us. more, thougk alas! 1 fear it This protracting, flow, confuting
"illnefs which hangs over me, will, i doubt much, my ever dear ft itnd,
"arreft my fun before he has well reached his middle carreer, and will
"turn
IV
/'turn over th«i Poet to far other and more important concerns then ftu-
"-d>ing the brilliancy of Wit, or the patho* of Sentiments _Howcver,
"Hope is the cordial of the human heart, and I endeavour to cherilh it
'*as well as 1 can Let me hear from >'Ou as foon as convenient, —
"Your work is a great one; and though, now that it is near finiflied, I
"fee if we were to begin again, two or three things that might be mend-
"cd, >et I will venture to prophefj that to future ages your Publication
"will b( the text book and ftandard of Scotifll Song and Mufic.
••___... ."Yours ever . - .R. BURNS*/
Note. The Songs in the four preceding Volume* mafked B. R. X.
and Z. and the Authors' names^cannot be inferted in this lh^^x,a8 the
Kditor does not know the names of thofe Gentlemen who have favoured
the Public and him with their Productions. There are a number marked
B.and R. which the Editor is certain are Burns's compofition.
Index to Volume Fifth.
A.'
hnlt line of each Song. Pag*
S I ftood b> yon rooflefs tower. _ _ Burns _ _ _ - - 418
_ A. Auld Rob the laird o' muckle land ._-_-- - 420
\ friend o' mine came here yeftreen __---- -- 422
As S_>Ivia in a fore ft iaj- _.--.- -------- ■*/;
Aften hie 1 play'd at the cards and the dice _.----- 474
About ane bank with balm^' bewis ..._.----- 478
As I came oer the Cairny mount ^__-,---- "* lao
A Laddie and a Lafsie ,------------ "^^^
Altho* my back be at the wa* _--------- - 494
As 1 came in by Achindown .^_------- -^02
And a' that e*cr my Jenny had --_- _-.---. -512
A nee majr I haii thee thou gloomy December - Buras - -. 5l5
B
Bleft arc the mortals above all - _ - - by Mr. A.M. _ - - 453
Bannocks o' bear meal ..---------- 'f"^
But lately feten in gladfome green . _ _ Burns _ - - - 50l
Com in thro* the r^e, poor body . _ _ _ Buxns- - _ - ~ ^^^
Could aught of fong declare my pain _ - Burns - _ _ - 609
fa fain wad I be Jamie's lafs .-_-.- ___-- 478
For weel he kend the wa>- o__- --.------ ^^^
G
Gin a bodv meet a J^odv _-,__-------- 431
- ' " 44?
Gat ye me,0 gat jie me _ - - - - - - - - - - T'*-
Good morrow fair miftrefs ..---.------ '^"*
H
^fere's a healtlx to them that's awa ._„----- 425
I
V
N 0 E X .
Hmd I the wyt«,had I the wytc - - - Burns _^^'^ _ - F^ge .427
How often my heart has hy love been O^rthrotvn D. Blac^Jock _ -482
Hee balou my fweet wee Donald __-,.. ^ ,_« , 486
Here's to thy health iii> bonic lafs - ^ liums _ - _ « _ _ 5J1
1
In Scotland there livd » humble be,i;;gar _^-«« «- - 43.S
I coft a ftane o* haflock woo ,«_-_»_--- ^ 44^
It» up wi' the Souters o' Selkirk _ _,--._-,-^ 450
in lovely Auguft laft __ - - - - -- - - -- _457
I'll ay ca' in hy yon town _ «__-__-- - 470
lt*« whifpercl in parlour ^_- __-._-.-_ - 474
1 chanc*d to meet an airy blade , , _, __,, ^ -« 6()4
It was a' for our rightfu king « - - -, -- - - _5l3
X.*
Louia what reck I by thee _ > _ - - Burns « - _ _ _ «427
M
My heart is fair, I dare na tell- « « Burns « « - ^ - - 44B
My dear and only love I pray _«^ - _ __« . 464
My father has forty good Shillings «-.— ___-._ 46.5
My bonni' Li/ae Baillie __^__-__-_- 469
N
Now nature hangs her mantle green. ^ Burns _ _ _ _ « _4l/
O my love's like a red, red rofe _ , ^ Burn» « _ - - _ .415
O an ^e ware dead gudeman ^_«-_ _.-- .421
O I forbid you, maidens a*^ ,._-..•-.-- 423
Out over the Forth, I look to the North ^ _ « - - . 434
Our young ladjy's a hunting'*gane ._.-.--- -■- 437
O weel may the boatie row «^. .*«-._-.-. ^8
O can ve few Cufhions _._---.- «_. . , 456
O Waly,Waly, up yon bank . . _ 2? Sett - - - . - ^458
O fad and heavy fhould I part . _ . Burns _ _ - _ .461
Our goodman came hame ateen.- - . . - - - -466
O keep ye weel frae Sir John Malcolm . . . _ . _ 468
O wat ye whas in yon town _ _ . Burns - . - _ _ 471
O Maj- thy morn was ne'er fae fweet . Burns . . . - — . - 477
O Lovely Polly Stewart _ _ - . ^ Burna . - - - - 4Q5
Our auld kin^ Coul was a jolly auld foul - - , _ . _ 486
O for my ain king, quo gude Wallace .._ ..*-._ 4.98
O dear what ca.n the matter be. . . - - -._ -,_5lO
Ohi f am come to the low countrie . - - - -. . .614
P
Put the gown upon the Bifhop .«__.. i .... . 462
Powers celeftial, whofe protection ....-_.— - . 473
R
Robin is my only joe __._..-.-**.--- - 492
Sweet Nymph of my devotion _. -- - - -- - - -419
Should auld acc|.uaintance be forgot _ _,-_. _._ 426
Saw ye my wee thing _ _ . "Macjiiel Ksq^- _ . _ - _ 454
Sae flaxen were her ringlets _ _ ._ Burns ^ _ _ _ - - 458
Ind
VI
E X
Slow fpreacis t^ gloom my foul defires _ _ Burns ^ -, Page • 5l6
The lovely lafa of Invernefa ^ _ _ ^ _ Burns ^ _ - « 4l4
The robin caire to the wren's neft _^__ -.--__ 419
The auld man he came over the l*a _'_ _ « ^ ^^ ^ 429
The Duke of Gordon has three daughters _-.-.-__ ^ 431
'Twas on a Monday raijtnfntf ---_^_«^ __^ 440
The maltman comes on Monandaj^ „-^«-_ « _ ^ ^ 443
The auld wife bejond the fire _.._«_ « _^^« 446
There was an auld wife had a wee pickle tow « « _ - ^ 45Q
Tibbie Fowler »* the glcn __ --___ «_*^ 452
There's three true fellows ____^^- - _ ___ 454
There's fouth of braw Jockies and Jennys _ Ferguson _. ^ 462
The bonnieft lad that e'er Ifaw^__ _ _ _ ^ _^ 484
There was a filly Shepherds fwain -__«_-— 490
The Maids gane to (the mill by night _ ^ « . _ ^ -. 494
The King fits in Dumfermline toune _ _ _ - « _ - «496
The Wren foho Ijes in care's bed «_ _ «« _«« 497
The auld Hians mares dead ^_«_ _- >___ _ 500
There was a wee bit wiffikie ^.«, _ ^ ^ _ _- ^ 506
There grows a bonie brier bufh _«_ ^- ,.___ 508
« w
VV^antonn«fs for ever inair __.._,«-.____ 435
V>VU hide the Couper behind the door _^ _. . __. 442
V\ha is that at my chamber door _ _ BamfaV _ _ _ - _ 444
Will je go to the. Highlands Leezie Lindfa;>' _ ^ _ , _ ^ 446
When januar wind was bJawing ^ - _ Buru3 - _ _ _ 460
Wap and row, wap and row __.__ ____« 470
Will ye go and marry Katie -___- _ __- 472
Wherefore fighing art thou Phillis _-__ ____ 473
What think ^e o' the fcornfu' quxne _ «BoJbertflon- _ _ 476
Wilt thou be my Dearie - - _ _ _ Burns « _ _ _ 484
Wae is my- heart* and the tear's in my ee_ _.._ - _ 490
We'll put the fheep head in the pat - - -- -- - - 493
young Jamie pride of a the plain 433
Entered in Stationers Hall.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
VOLUME V.
Paoe
Songs CCCCI. to D., 414
Illustrations, 361
Additional Illustrations, *439
The Lovely Lafs of Invernefs.
,/-v Written for this Work b) Robert Burns-
414
father dear. My fa_tit«T dear airek jbrethren three
Their winding fheet...the bludy clay.
Their graveis are growing green to fee;
And by them lies the deareft lad
That ever bkft a woman's eel
Now wae to- thee thou cruel lord,
A bludy man I trow thou be;
For mon\- a heatt thou has made fair
That ne*er did wrang to thine or theel
413
A red red Rofe,
Written for this Work. by Robe'rt Burns.
Ji i. i
k—t k
# •, « Jt
1
405 A *■ ^ ™^' I-"Y®'* ^^^^ * "'^^ "** rofe. That*
■MV-' I f-
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^SIov!l^
J' J. i' J- ^
^' J. J
^
ii^
new _ ly fprung in June; O My- Luves like the
J - I J
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_ !o _ die Thats fweet_I>- playd in tune. Ai
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£rt-f f,-f rfir '^' ^"^
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fa^r art thou, my bon _ ie lafs, So deep in luve
Continaed
I w
^
^^^T^
P
-k-jr
■^ JHii
ftill my dear. While the fande o* life fliali run.
^^
i^
Old Set,__Red red Rofe.
403
O my Luve's like a red, red rofe. That's
^S
Slow
^^
i
/r-
iLi. ji:jin.n ^
^
new _ I3- fprung in June. O my Luve's like the
^^^^^^m
i
#
U r- J| 'I'll
^teE
g y."-"*
e - lo - die That's , fweet - ly play'd in tune
ill [gfc
ITT
^
^
tZ^
Aa fair art thou, nry- bonie lafs.
So deep in luve am I;
And I will love thee ftill, my Dear,
Tili a* the feag gang dry.
Till a' the feas gang dry, my Dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the fun:
I will love thee ftiU, my Dear,
While the fands o' life fhall run:
And fare thee weel, my only Luvel
And fare thee weel, « while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
..The' it ware ten thousand mile..
a
417
^1Q4 ■< -;<< Now nature hangff her mantle green On ilka blooming
Marj Qneeo of Scots Lament.
Written for this Work b^' Robert Burns.
^!fb r I J
Sl(
^
g
^W
Now I'hotbus cheara the crjftal ftreaipisyet here I lie in foreign bands,
AnJ ^'lads the a/ure fkieaj And never ending care. ||
F^ut nought can glad the wear_y- wight
That faft in durance lies But as for thee, thou falfe woman.
My fifter and my fae,
Nfiw laverocks wake the merry morn, Grim vengeance,>et,fh4ll whet a fword
Aloft on dewy wing; That thro' thy foul fhallgae;
The irtrle, in his noontide bowr.
M;(k<-S woodland echoes ring
'Ij»t )ii;ivrn iTiil.J wj man\' a note,
JSiii^s drovxfy day to reft:
J a Unc and freedom thej- rejoice,
'»Wi' care nionr thrall oppreft.
The weeping blood in womans breaft
Was never kno-AtV to thee;
Nor th' balm that drape on wounds of
Frae woman's pitying e'e. (Voe
M> foni my fonl may kinder ftars
Upon th}- fortune iliine :
And may thofe pleafures gild thy reign.
That ne'er wad blink on mine!
Now blooiiiB the lily by the bank.
The prim role down the brse;
The hawthorn* budding in the glen.
And milk-white i* the flae: God keep thee frae thy mothers fees.
Or turn their hetrts to thee:
And where thou meet ft thy.motherB frienc
Remember him for me. 1
'! ti*- iiK ineft hind in fair Scotland
,Mh\ rove their fweetft amang;
But I, tlie (^uten of a' Scotland,
Maun lie in pnfon ftrang.
Oi foon,to me, may fummer-funs
Nae mair light up the morn!
5 was the Queen o' bonie France, Nae mair, to me, the autumn winds.
Where happy I hae been; Wave o'er the ;>ellow cornl
Fu lightli^ rafe I in the morn.
As blj the laj dovvn at e'en: And in the narrow houfe o death
\ Let winter round me rave;
And I'm the fov'reign oV Scotland, And the next flow're, that deck the fpriiii
.♦, nd mon\ & traitor tli^re; Bloom on iry peaceful grave.
A Lafsie all alone.
Recitative.Writfen bvHobf Burns.. Tune, Cumnock Pfalms .
^^,'^'"*'^ '^f^* ^*'^'**»* «»' ^» ftill, Noir, looking over firth and fauW.
_ 1 he ftars they Oiot alang the fkj-; Her horn the pale-fec'd CXnthia rear'd,
A ?1 "^"z- iMwJing on the hiU. When, lo, in form of Minftrel auld.
And the diftant -echoing gJens reply. A ftern and ftalwart ghaifi appear <J.
A lafrie,&c. A lafsie.&c.
The burn^dot^-n its ha/elly path. And frae his harp fie ftttins did flq^r,
Wm rtifhing hy th» rumd v*^\ Might rou*'d the Humbering D^f.d to
Hafting to jom the ft^eping Nith Butoh.it was a tale dC wo*; fhear;
Whafe roaringa feead to rife and fa'. Air ever met a BritonV ear. ^
A lafaie,^. Alafsie.i^ic.
The culd blae north i««> fti^aming forth He fang wi' joy hii, former daj,
A.^^.l'f f'7* iiiftinfreerie din; He weeping wail'd hi* latter tiH,es^
Athort the lift they ftart uid fluft. But what he faid it was nae plaj.
Like fortunes fan>».,tint M win, I winn. r.ntur^t in my rhvmrs
A laf6ie,«ic. A lafsie»&c. ^
419
The Wren's JVeft,
406
Slowifti
eels Tne on vour auld Pow.Wad ve be in wad 've be in. Yet
in, O weels tne on your auld pow. Wad ye be in wad ye be in. Ye se
^
^
j^J< r r Vr^^sn^^rt-g
^ U'fFfTy P t C ^
neer get leave to lie without. And I within, and 1 with _ in As
^^
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i/ U-^
^JJl_^jfc^;^^^^
4^4^-^
fct
langs I hae an auld clout. To row you in, to row ;jou in
^
^
+ ++ + -h + + 4- 4- + +4- + + + + ++ +
Peggy in Devotion.
r}r_i J J r
<>-3-p-4-»K— »
3^:
^f*
407 ^*-->^.o......u..... .......
^ '^' [— ( — ^r 1 ■ ■ ■ '^^ \^ ■'J "^
^^ nature gave thee beaut}. Grant the Icifs, The higheft blifisf; For
P^
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F
1*
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P
r
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1 — - — _
— *—^4 —
"~:
E
Contintied
4iiO
know it is thy du _ ty Lif _ ten girl to me .
f JiJjjjif J r r iJh-tt^
+ + + + + + + + -»-+ -v-»- + + + + + + + +^+
Jamie o' the glen.
■^^rj^ii'-.^ J'iij- J. ii J rr t
Ar)Q < -^ Auld Rob the laird o' niuckle land, to woo me was nae \^Ty
^^
^if r r FT r ^
prnl'^l} n^ 111! JJM,^
blate, But fpite o a' his gear he fand,He came to woo, a d&jo'er late
P
r r r r ' r r
i
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:=*
##^^
P !»-*■
S
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W=^
tl
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A lad fae bl}th, fae full o' glee, Mj^" heart did never never ken,)t
w
m m.
f f r ^
j^J ip-^.Jltlj.i j.lln
j_y . ^ ^ ^ ir-- >"— ■ * ' '4
' nane can gie fie joy to me, as Jamie o the gten.
pi
2%
My minny grat like daft and rard.
To gar me wi' her will complj-.
But ftill I wadna hae the laird
Wi a' his oufen, fheep, and kje
A lad fae bUth,&c.
Ah what are filks and fattins br^^
Whats a his war Idly gear to me.
They re daft that caft themfelves awa
Where nae content or luve can be.
A lad fae blyth &c.
I coud na bide the filly clafh
Cam hourly frae the gawky laird.
And fae to ftop liis^gai) and fafh
Wi' Jamie to the ki^k repaird.
A lad fae blyth.tec.
Now ilka fimmers day fae lang,
And winter's clad wi' froft and fnaw
A tunefu' lilt and bonny fang
Ay keep dull care and ftrife awa.
A lad. fae blytb,&c.
4^21
0 gin ye were dead Gndeman
A nietp-lieads in the pot, gudeman,
A fhMp- heads in the pot, gudeman;
The fl«Ch to him th« broo to ae.
An the horne become your brow, gudeman.
Cho. Sing round abdut the .fire wi'a rung flie ran.
An round about the fire wi'a rung fhe ran:
Your horna fhail tie you to the ftaw,
And I fhalt bang your hide, gudeman .
My Wife has taen the gee.
We fat Tae late, and drank fae ftout.
The truth I tell to you.
That lang or ever midnight came.
We vvere a' roaring, fou.
My wife fits at the fire-fide;
.And the tear blinds ay her eC,
The neer a bed will fhe gae to;
But fit and tak the gee.
In the morning foon,whtn I came down,
The nt-er a word fhe fpake;
But monv a fad and four look,
And a\ her head fhed fhake.
My dear, quoth l.what ailtth thee.
To look fae four on nie?
•I'll never 60 the like again.
If ^tJii'll ne'er tak the gee.
When that fhe heard, (he ran,nic fbi -
Her arms about my neck
And twenty kifsea in a crack,
Atid, poor wte thing, fhe grat.
If you'll ne'er do the like again,
But bide at hauie wi' iiit,
I'll lay my life Ife be the wife
That's never tak the gee.
^!23
Tam Iwn
There s nane that g^ea by Carterhaugh
But they leave him a wad;
Either their tings, or green piantks.
Or elfe their maidenhead.
Janet haa belted her green kirtle,
A little aboon her knee.
And fhe has broded her yellow hair
A little aboon her bree;
Ah\j fhe's awa to Carterhaugh
-As faft as fhe can hie.
When fhe came to Carterhaugh
Tom-Lin was at the well.
And there fhe fand his fteed ftanding'
Rut awa} was himfel.
•She had na pu'd a double rofe
A rofe but onl\ twa.
Til! up then ftarted ^oung Tam-Li-n,
8338, Lad}, thou's pu' nae mae.
V\h} pus thou the rofe, Janet,
And why breaks thou the wand!
f)r why comee thou to Carterhaugh
VV'ith(jutten my command?
C;ii Itihaugh it is my ain,
Mv daddie gave it me;
I'll come and. gang by Carterhaugh
And aflt nae leave at thee .
Janet has .kilted her green kirtle,
A little abooh ht-f Knee, •
Four and twenty ladies fair,
Were placing at the ba.
And out then cam the fair Janet,
Ance the flower aman^ Ihem a'.
Four and twent}- ladies fair,
, Were pla\ing at the chefs.
And out then cam the fair Jai;»ef,
As green as onie glafs.
Out then fpak an au Id grey knight.
Lay oW the caftle wa'.
And fays, Alas, fair Jan««t for thee.
But we'll be blamed a'.
H»ud your tongue,}* auld fac'd knight
Some ill death ma}' }e die,
Father my bairn on whom- I will,
I 11 father nane on thee.
Out then'fJDak her father dear.
And he fpak meek and mild.
And ever alas, fweet Janet, he fa}s,
I think thou gaes wi' child.
If thit f gae wi' child, father,
M}^el maun bear the blame;
There s neer a laird about }Our ha.
Shall get the bairns name.
If my Love were an earthly knight.
As he's an elfin gre}-;
I wad na gie my ain true-love
For nae lord that ye hae.
And {he has Inooded her }Tellowhtir,
A^ little aboon her b'ree.
And fhe is to her father's ha,
^H faff as fhe ran hie.
The fteed that m}' -true-love rides on.
Is lighter than the wind;
Wi' filler he is fhod before,
Wi* btirtiing gowd behind .
Contmned.
4^4
Jenethas kilted hcr-^green kirtle
A little aboon her knee;
And fhe has fnooded her yellow hair
"' A little aboon her brie;
And fhe 8 awa to Carterhaugh
As faft as (he can hie
When fhe cam to Carterhaugh,
Tana -Lin was at the well:
And they that wad their truelove win.
At Milefcrofs they maun bide.
But how fhall 1 thee, ken Tam-Lih,
Or how my true love know,
Amang fae mony unco knights.
The like I never faw.
O firft let pafs the black Lady, ■
And fyii^ let pafs the brown;
And there fhe fand his fteed ftanding. But quickly run to tie" milk white-
But away was himfel. Pu ye his rider down. (fteed.
She had na pu'd a double rofe. For I'll ride on the milk-white fteed,
A rofe but only twa. And ay neareft the town.
Till up then ftarted young Tam-Lin,
Says, Ladj" thou pus nae mae.
Why pus thou the rofe Janet,
Amang the groves fae green.
And a to kill the bonie babe
That we gat us between.
O tell me, tell me, Tam-Lin {he fays,
Fors fake that died on tree.
If eer ye» was in holy chapel.
Or Chiriftendom did fee.
Roxbrugh he was my grandfather.
Took me with him to bid*
And ance it fell upon a day
That wae did me betide.
And ance it fell upon a d&y,
A cauld day and a fnell.
When we were frae the hunting conit
That frae my horfe 1 fell.
The queen o Fairies fhe caught me.
In yon green hill to dwell.
And pleafant is the fairy-land;
But, an eerie tale to tell I
Ay i>t the end of fe\en j ears
We pay a tiend to hell,
r am fae fair and ^u o' flefh
1 m fearcl it be v\ftl.
But the ni^ht is Halloween, lady.
The morn is Hallowda\ ;
Then win mc, win me, an ye will.
For weei I wat ye may.
luft at the mirk and midnight hour
The fairy folk will ride;
Becaufe I was an earthly knight
They gie me that renown.
My right hand will be glove! X'^dy,
My left hand mil be bare
Cockt up fhall my bonnet be.
And kaim'd down fhall !«_) hair,
And thaes the takens I gie thee, ;
Nae«doubt I will be th<re.
They 11 turn m«'in ynur arms lad>,
Into an efk ar^^d" adder.
But hald m© £aft' and fear me not,
I am 3<our bairn's father.
They 11 turn me to a bear fae guin.
And then a lion bold.
But hold nifc fa ft and -frat me' not^
A.s ye fhall love your child.
\^.'iu ihcy tl turn ttip in i-our arms.
To a red het gaud of aim.
But hold me faft and fear me not,
I'll do to you nae harm.
And laft they 11 turn me in _jour arms,
Int/) the burning lead;
Then throw me into we J I water,
O throw me in wi' fptfed .
And then f II be ynut ain true love,
I'll turn a naked knight.
Then cover jne wi' vour green maritlf,
And coyer nie out o' fight.
Gloomy, gloomy was the ni^ht.
And eerie was the way.
As fair Jehny in her green mantle
To Milefcroft fhe did gae.
Abouf
{'l^
Continned.
About the middle o' the night,
Shf- heard the bridles ring;
This ludjy was as glad at that
As any earthly thing-
Out of a bufh o broom;
Them that has gotten ^oung Tam Lin,
Has gotten a ftately groom ^
Firft fte let the black pafs b>-.
And r\ne fhe let the brown ;
Out then fpak the queen o' fairies*
And an angry queen was fhe;
Shame betide her ill-fard face.
But quickly fhe Tan to the milk wtite- And an ill death may fhe die.
And pa'd the rider down, (^fteed.
For fhes ta*en awa the bonieft knight
Stie wcel fhe-Jminded what he did fay In a' my companie.
And young Tam Lin d i^d win; But had I kend Tam Lin, fhe fay-B^
Sjne cover 'd him wi'her green mantle ^ What now this night I fee.
As bijthe's a bird in Ipring.
I wad hae taen out thy twa grey een,
Out then fpak the queen o* fairies. And put in twa 6»sn o' tree.
Here's a Health to them thats awa.
^
-Anid lant^ syne.
4^6
^^
/lirZ V*^;f Should auld acquain _ taiice be for _ got Atid
J- r ^—^
" (i» ' ■■ ^ — tf ^ .tJ-^ — # ' »^ —
a
4|izi:
t;ik: a '''cup o' kiiuliit.ss vet for auld !;in,i/
^^^
And surcly'ye'll be i,x>ur pint stowpl We twa hae paidid in the bum,
And surely I'll bt luint^ Frae morning sun till dine;
And we'll tak a cup o kindiuss yet. But seas between us braid h;ie votird.
For »u!d lang s_\ne. Sin auld fang. syne.
For auld, ^^c. For auld,^c.
We twa hae run about the braes. And there 8 a hand, my trusty fiere.
And pou'd the gowans fine; And'gies a hand o thiiu.
But we ve wanderd mony a weary fitt. And we'll taka right gude_Killie-
Sin auld lang syne. For auld lang s^-ne. (waught.
For auJd.^c. For auld.^c.
* Some Sing, Kifs, in place of Cup. 2
4<27'
Lodis what r€ck I by thee
Written for this Work bv Robttt Burns.
r^r:
k bv Hob«t Burns.
Jj J ij J ^
4X4 -S i^ I-ou - ia what reck I by thee. Or Geor-die
3C
^^^^—4^
^
P
on his ocean: I)y, vor, beg- gar lotins to me, 1
Let her crown- m\' love her law» And in her brcaft enthrone me;.
*Kipi>8 and nations, fnith awa I Keif randies I difown ^el :.+ ^-'f
H
^z. 4..;. i A^.>>f 4v*v*v*;4v*t4v*
^ Had I the wjte ihe bad me.
4 1a3 ^*^^ ^^*<* * ^^^ ^3 **' **''<* ^ *^® **^ **• ***** ' ^^'^ **>^*» ^*
'^^ bade nie had I the H\tt had i the nyte.
had I the wvte flie
te^
> — ^
i^ I* •—* \.m. it'.' =<?^-^ ~
bad me; Had I the v> te, had I the wyte, h»d f the wyte (he
M
when I wad ,na' ven_tiire in, A ( ow-ard loon fiie cad nie: And
m
^
Sa« craffilie (hv took me ben.
And bade vn inak nae clatter;
For our ramgimniocli, glum goadnian
is oer a\ont the water;'*
Whaecr fhall fav I wanted grace.
When I did kit's and dawte her.
Let him be plaiittd in my place,
S^-ne, f<\\ I viajt a fautor.
Could I for fhauu, rt'.i]d I for I'haine,
Could I for fha.i.i iffuf'd htr.
And wad na Maahoo«l been to bianie.
Had I unkindly us'fl her:
Ife < latA d her wi' the ripplin -kauie.
And bae and l)!uid\ bruisd hi r;'
When fi'; a huflr. nd was frae haii.c,
V^b«^ wife but wad eyctis'd her!
I dijj-bfefl a^y hrv een fae blue,
Aik! I»nnn<l Jlie > ruti rand.,
A'vJ M\-eI I w;tii her wiMiti uiOu
VV;,j4 f'»ii like i'u(<airai)die.
At yliunin-lhnfc if was, I waf,
I Ii,, 'ited on t\.' Monda}-;
BiH I atji thro' Ihi TiTf.d;,j.s dew.
To ivanton Will c's brand, . „
4^29
The Auld man,8Cc.
^\Q X^ "^ Thfc auld man he came o , ver the lea. Ha, ha.
B^
S
jUj' .
^
^
^^
^=^^ui=^^=r=rrj-r~^-^
lor to court ine wi his auld beard iitwlin shaven.
^^
^
1
=?
/U^ J J -J^^
M\- iiiither she bad me gie^ hiii) a stool.
Ha, ha, ha, but i U no ha^ him;
r gae him a stool, and he lookd rike a fool,
WV his auld beard newlin shaven.
My mither she bade me. gie ixim some pje, .
Ha, ha* ^c,
I gafc him some'pye^and hie laid the crust bv,
Wi' his, fe .
M\' ir'ther she bade me gie him a dram.
Ha, iiA, K.C.
I gae hnii a dram o the brand sae Strang.
WV his, &.C.
\K mither she bade me put him to bed.
Ha, ha, ^c.
I put him to bed, and he swore he wad wed,
Wi' his, &c.
Cotnin tI>ro' the rve. 1"/ Sett.
Written for thi« Work by Robert Hums*.
430
A\'y JV Cbmin thro" the -r\"e, poor boclwCQu. in thro tli( ryo .Sli,«
draigl't a' her pet-ti _ coatie Coniin thro' the rye. Oh
part repeated in Choru*
Gin a body meet a body
Com in thro the rye.
Gin a body kifs a bojy
Need a body cry
Cho! Oh Jennv's a' vsff .a.
Gin -a body mctt a bod\
Com in thro' the glen;
Gin a bod^- kif» a body
Need the war Id kenl
Cho. Oh Jenn\ 8 a' y>« e.\ ,<<■<-..
I u
418
CoiTiia thro* the vye. 2. Sett
Gin a ho-d> meet a bo_dy, Com-in thro' the r\e.
Ver\ Slow
*- Gin A bo-a\- kifs a bo _ dy need a bo-_dv- cry:
ll_ ka bo_d\- has a bo_d;>-, ne er - a ane hae I; But
U-X^L^
Gin a body mefet a body, comin frae the weU,
Gin a body kifs a bod\', need a bod_) .tell;
Ilka body has * bod\ , ne'er a ane hae I,
But a* the lads ^ii^y ioe me, and what the war am I.
Gi^i H body meet a bod_)-, com in frae the town
Gin a bod}, kifs a bod_>', need a bod^ gloom;
Jlka Jenn> has her Jocke\-, ne'er a ane hae I,
But a the lads they loe mev and what the war am T,
• * V ^•.*' 'k V * V * V if V * •:• * V * V * V * V * •:• •* V He V 4 v * v * v jt •:•■*•;•*•;• ^j^ •
The Dake of Gordon has three daughters
419
^m
^ The Duke of Gordon has three daughters E_li_zabeth,
si<
t
^
:#:
Continued.
43^
^•iiJi i^ i'l J ; J' J It r' rrn
Margaret, Jind Jean; The>- would na* -i^fay iri bonnj Cajtle
^
f^
^
i=*
tz±
They had not been in Aberdeen O wo to >-ou, captain OgiKie,
A twelveiBonth and a da_>v And an ill death thou fihaTt die;
Till lady Jean fell in love witittfaptOgihie.For taking to my daughter,
[ And aWa^ with.^him (he -would gae. Hahyectthou fhalt 0«V
IWord came to the dufc^ of Gordon,
In the chamber ^ere he. lay,
Lad> Jean has felfin love with captOgilvie,
And away with him fhe would gae.
Go faddle me the black horfe.
And _>-ou'!l ride on the grey;
And 1 will ricje to bonny Aberdeen,
Where I have been many a da^ V
They were not a mih frpm Aberdeen,
* A, mile bu* only three.
Till he met with his two daughters walking.
But away was lady Jean.
Where is your After, maidens?
Where is your fifter, now?
Vhere is >Tour fifter, maidens,
That fhe is not walking with jou?"
j'O pardon us, honoured father,
O pardon us, they did fay;
.ady Jean is with captain Ogilvie,
And away with him (he will gaeV
^nd when he came to Aberdeen,
And down upon the' green,
her© did he fee captain Ogilvie,
Training up his men.
Duke Gordon has wrote a broad letfei ,
' And fent it^o the king.
To caufe hang captain Ogilvie,
If ever he hanged a man.
I will not han'g captain Ogilvie,
For no lord that I fe6; |
Bu till* caufe him to put off the laceKiieai
And put on the fingleliveryr ^lel.
Word came to captain Ogilvie,
In the chamber where fee hy ,
To caft off the gold lace and fcarletV .
And put on tht fingle livery.
If this be for bonny Jeany Gordon ;
This pennance I'll take wi';
If this be for bonny Jeany Gordon,
All this 1 win drceV
I.ady Jean had not been married.
Not a ^ear but three.
Till fhe had a babe in ever_) arm, ■
Another upon her knee.
O but 1 m wear^' of wandering.'
O but my fortune is bad.'
It fete not the duke of Gordons daugh(er
To iollow a foldier lad .^tc.Htc.&c.
433
Young Jamie pride of a'^tbe plain.
' ^_^ ^ Tune The carlin of the ^len
ypfd
r r/i^rfTrngi^m
4lQC\ <*^ Y<Ainfi;. Jatiiie pride jOf a* the plain, «ae galant. and sae
gav a swain. Thro' a' our lasses he did rove. And reign'd re_
^^
v"
i
^^
fc^
1
rockv caves, Hi« sad complain, ing dowie raves.
I wha sae late did range and rove.
And change! with everj moon my love,
I little thought the time was near
Repentance T should buy sae dear;
The slighted maids my torments see.
And laugh at a' the pangs I dree;
While she, my cruel, scornfu Fair,
Forbids me e'er to-. se» her mair.
Out over the F^orth,8<c
421
Out o_ver the Fortli, I look to the North, But
^^^^^^^^m
South nor the Eaft, ipe eaTe to m) brealt. The far fort it^n
man that is dear to mv- ba _ hie and me ^
\:\t
V^antoiiiipr.s tor t'vt'r niajr.
4^:2^ "N*^* Wantpnnefs for eV( r inriir, VVantonnefs has been my
^-t-f-Hjrf^^^^^T- 1' r U f-
^^^^^^^
ru..in; Yet, for a n.y dool and cart. Its wantoniif fs for everl
^
^
I . r*l-
r <i'*'~~
^^^
1 hae loed the Black, the Brown; T halloed the Fair, the Gou'den
^-;-^^M::3^=pfT J- r U r-^
^^f^^^^^^=LEC,'^;-tj"D h 3I
A the colours in the town \ hae non their wanton favour.
i£^3E
f-fTUf j=^J" r ^ r STaSt
j(.4 + + 4. + +4--«- + -f->-
+ v*V *••:• ^viv4v 4^v^v*v *-v4^v*v ^\-^v ?iHv*v 55^V*-v4v4:V^'
The Humble Ben^crar.
Recitative
in tiiiie,\tr\-Slow
m
ft » w
r nrfri^r^
^4^2 3 X*^^ ^" Scot-land there liv'd a humble -beggar. He had
i
^
o
O Recit.
r-^ nr [^
T»— }-l» • -■#■
K ' ^' y^
i^ I?' i^
neither houfe, nor hald, nor hame. But he was weel liked b\
rr-r-i.
i
P
O'
Continaed
13«
m time
A nnefow of ineal, and handfow of groat*,
\ daad of a oannock or herring brie,
Cauld i,urradi^e, or the lickint^s of plates.
Wad mak hiin as lilyth «» a be^'^ar could be.
This btggar be waa a humble beggar,
1 he feint a bit of pride had fce.
He wad a ta'en his a'iBs in a bikker
•^rae gentleman or poor bodie.
His wall 8 ahint and afore did hang.
In as tiood order as wallets could be;
A Utig kaiKgo'oly hang down by his fide.
And a nitikle nowt horn to rout on had he.
it happend ill, it happen'd warfe.
It happenol fae that he did die;
And wha do ye think was at his late-wak
Butjads and laffes of a high degree?
Some were blyth, and fome were fad.
And fome they play'd at blind Harrie;
But fuddenl_y up-ftarted the auld carle,
I redd _>ou,good folks, tak tent o' me.
t'p gat Kate that fat i' the nook.
Vow kimmer and how do ^e?
Up he rat and ca'd her limmer.
And nigL'tt and tuggit her cockernonie.
l'h<y houkit his grav6 in Duket's kitk^yard.
Ken fair fa* the companie;
But when Ihiy were i^aun to lay him i' th' yird,
'Ihe ftiiit a dead, nor dead was he*.
And when they brought huu to Dukets kirk-j ard
He dun ted on the kift. the boards did flie;
And when they were gaun to put hiin i' the yird,
In fell the kift, and out lap he.
He cryd^ I'm cald, I'm unco cald,
Fu' fa ft ran the folk, and fu' faft ran he;
But he was firft hame at his ain ingte-fidc.
And he helped to drirrk his ain dirgie.
4;r
The rowiut iti her apron,
^^^^^^p
Ht;r apron wag o the hollan finr.
Laid about wi* laces nine;
She thought it a pit> her babie fhould tynt.
And flies rowd him in heir apron.
Her apron wa« o the ho Han fma,
I. aid about wi lac^a a.
She thou;s:ht it a pifv her babe to iet fa.
And ftie rcwd hni m her apron.
+ + 4- + + -4- + -f + + ■++-♦- +
Her father faye VMthin the ha\
Amang the knights and nobles a',
I think 1 hear a bai)ie ca,
In the chamber '*niang our joun^ ladies.
0 father de a it i& a bairn,
1 hope It wiU dc jou nae harm,
For the daddie 1 'ceo, and he*ll loe me again,
For the row in t in my apron.
0 is he a gertltiwan, or is he a clown.
That has brought thv fair body down,
1 would not foi d this town
The lowint in thy apron.
Young Terreagle« iies nae clowj..
He IS the tofs oi Edinborrow town.
And he*ll bu^- nue a braw new gown
F'or the ro<^m< in mv apron
-»- -f ■*-+-»- + + +'^-»-^+ + + + +
Its I hae caftle«, 1 hae towtrs,
I ha« barns, and I hut bowers,
A* that is mim, U iiull be thine,
For the rowin ! in thv apron.
The Boatie rows, Firft Sett.
The Boatie rows. Second Sett.
I r'/- .^'~r~r+^^
426 ^ * ^^^^ ^^y *^® boat_ie row. And better
^m
may fhe fpeed O lee _. fo'nie, may the boatie row That
^^^
i
i
over Quickly
'iSH
Continaed
Tl ^J I J'J ■ 1^
^
b±=zt
wins tile bairns bread. The boat-ie rfiws, the boat_ie
f "i' I f ^
^^
?=
m
E
^
<>— B
rowe, t£e boat_ ie tows in 'deecl. And iiap_ py be the
^
m
^^
lot o a* ,wha wifh_efi her to fpeed
^
f. % if^^
The Boatie rows. Third Sett.
427
^iT;P^^' jiJc.g'-Ti^^^^-irj
'^ O weel may. the boatie row. And better ma^- fh^^
^:M i '^'
Verj' Slow
^^
4^M^ I ^ • f, I J • } Jit
fpeed; And leefome maj- the boatie row, that wins the bairns
J. Uj, f r /if, f f' fir :^^
rfead; The boatie rows, the boatie rows, the DOatie row
Ija:
bread; The boatie rows, the boatie rows, the boatie rows in-
v-ft
w^i r 'j
'i-cnks^Q-fth^^
■ fc, n r
det-d; And weel may the boatie row, that win my bairns
r— ':fT=i^
PL.
f
#> ^ ■-..! '
^^
I cuft my line in Largo bay. My kurtch I put upo' mj head,
J^tid fifties I catch'd nine. And drefs'd mytei' fu braw.
There was three to boil,& three to ^y, I true my heart was douf an wae,
A-nd three to bait the line. When Jamie ga'ed awa;
's!T1s» boatie rows, the boatie rows, '.'S.'But weel may ^'boatie row,
-iThe boatie rows indeed. And lucky, be her part;
Attd happy be the lot o a\ And lightfome be the laf^ie's care,
Who wifhes her to fpeed^.'S! That yieH* an honeft heart /S."
O weel may the boatie row.
That fills a heavy creel„
A-nd cleads us a frae head to feet.
And buys 6ur pottage meal;
.'SiThe boat^- rows, the boatie rows.
The boatie rows indeed.
And happy be the lot of a.
That wifh the boatie fpeed..*St
.>When Sawney, Jock, an janetie,
Are up and gotten; lear; '
They'll help to gar the boatie row,
And lighten a our care.
*S;The boatie rows, the boatie rows,
The boatie rows fu' weel.
And lightfome be her heart thai h<:<<
The Miirlain, and the creel/SI
When Jamie vow'd he woud be mine. And when wi* age we're worn dov>n,
And wan frae me my heart, And hirpling round the door,
O muckle lighter grew wy creel, Tbey!ll row to keep us dr\ and wst •
He fwore we'd never part: As we did them before;
.'S.'The boat_>' rows, the boatie rows, .'S'.Then w^ei may the boatre row.
The boatie rows fu' weel. She wins the bairns bread;
And muckle lighter is the load. And happj be the lot o a.
When love bears up the creel. That wifh the boat to fpeed.\s:
440
Charlie he s my darling'.
m=^^Sh^\ ^^^.f.:^f=f^
*^ Charlie he's 1T13 clar_ling the >t)ujig Chevalier
^qrr u igM'Oj^iH' •
As he'Vas walking up the ftre«t,
""I'he ^it_>' for to view,
O there he fpied ji bonie lafs
The wind«w looking thro'. _ An' Charlie &c.
Sae lights he 'pimped up the ftair,
And tirled at the piti;
And wha fae ifeady as herfel.
To let the laddie in. An Charlie &c.
He fet his Jenny on his 'Itnee,
All in his Highland drefs;
For brawlie w^eel he ken'd the way
lTo''pl€afe a b-onie lafs. An Charlie tec.
Its up yon heth^ry mountain.
And down yon fcroggy glen,
We.daur na gang a milking.
For Chiariie and his men. > An' Charlie 8cc.
As Svlvia in a fnvcii lay.
441
irain? Wh\' is JDur won_ted
you So worthlefs and fo vain? Why is yoi
^ ^
^'Tj u T J.1 1 J tW-pHf-IK^^
fond nefs now Con - ver _ ted to dif _ - dain?
<:^
You vow'd the light fhou'd darknefs turn.For you delighted, I fhowld die
E'er jou'd exchange your love;
In iThades may now creation mourn.
Since ^ ou unfaithful prove.
Was it for this I credit gave
To evr\' oath you fwore?
But ahi it feems thej- moft deceive.
Who moft our charms adore\
But oh; with grief Im filld.
To think that credulous con ft ant I
Shoud hy yourfclf be kiU'd.
'Tis plain yonr drift was all deceit.
The practice of mankind:
Alasl I fee it, but tqo late,
M love had made me blind.
This faid all breathlefs,fick ^ pal.
Her head upon her hand,
She found her vital fpirits fai.I,
And fenfes at a ftand.
Sj Ivander then began to melt;
But e'er the word was givci;.
The heavy handof death ft-.t {< if,
And figh'd her foul to Heaven.
M
iit-2
The Laft of Ecclefechan.
•^ Rock and reel and fpinnin wheel A mickje quarter bafon.
u r J II
Bye attour, my Gutcicr liaa a liich houfe and a laigh ane
0 had your tongue now Luckie Laing,I tint my whiftle and vay fang,
O had 3 our tongue and jauner; I tint my peace and pleafure;
1 held the gate till you I met. But your green graff, now Luckie Laing
iiyne I began to wander: Wad' airt me to my treafure.
The Coaper" o Caddy.
f-Tj r'gi'^ J J. jij?
We'll aide the Copper behind the door, Be_hind the
arthg:
ase^^
^
#
udetiie Cooper be
door, be^Jbindthe door. We'll bide the CTooper behind the door &:
^?
^
Conthined,
443
Chorus
^^^
^^
he Cooper behind the
^
E
ange"»<il the filly gude_man O. We'll hide the Coop
^
1
^
^
i
Hi J J"] Ji/] }^
r f f r r
door, Be^hind the door, De_hind the door We'll hide the Cooper be
m
h¥W
^^
^
^^
» I*
1^
Itrtz
^^
-hind the door. And cover him un_der a maun O.
^
r. ii, I J , r li
^
He fought them out, he fought them in,
Wi deil hac herland deil hae himl
.But the body he was fae doited- and blin.
He wift na whare he was gaun O.
We'll hide,&c.
They cooperd at e en, they coo per d at morn,
Till our gudeman ha« gotten the fcorn;
On ilka brow fhe'a planted a horn,
And fweara that tibere they fhall ftan Q.
Well hidc&c.
444
Widov\', ate ye waking?
O widow, vvilJ ihou let ipe mr
"I'm pawky, wife, and thrifty,
"And come of a right gentle kin;
"I'm little mair than fift_>'."
Daft carle, dit jour mouth., ^
What figrrifiea how pawky,
Or gigntle-born ye be,- but youth-.
In love ,\e're but a gawky.
"Then, widow, let thcfe guineas fpeak,
' That powerfull}- plead clinkan;
"And if the;>- fail, rt\y mouth Til ffeek,
"And nae mair love will think on'.'
Thefe court indeed, I maun confefai,
I think they mak you young. Sir,
And ten "tfmes better can expref»
Affection, than your tongue. Sir
The Maltmau',
44 5
433
■^ • # <i <
&i
-^ . ...... , — .,. — j^
3K The malt, man comes on Munandaj', He craves wonderous
^m
^^
J jj ='' I «
fair» Cries dame» come gie jue sny , fil- Icr, Or
m
i
f
y *
S
^
^^^
^^
4( — » * -0
^ ^ —^ ^ " "■■ ^ ■ 1^^ r ^ 1^ ' V p? -
Btialt ye'll neer get mair. 1 took him in_to the pantn,And
sm
fe
f
aa^t
-01 ■ •
^^ / /"J .M ;^^^
gave him fome good cock-broo, Sj-ne paid hnn upon a
4
i
#
gan_tree As hoft- ler wives fiiould do,
■ i^
When maltmen come fOr filler. The maltman is right cunning.
And gangers wi' wands oer foon. But I can be as flee.
Wives, tak them a' down to the cellar, And he m&y crack of his winning.
And clear them as I have done. When he clears fcores with me:
This bewith, when cun'ie is fcantj-. For come when he likes, im read> ;
Will keep them frae making din. But if frae hame i be.
The knack I learncl frae an auld aunty. Let him wait on our kind lad\,
The fnackeft of a* my kin. She'll anfwer a bill for mc.
446
Leeaie Lindray
434 ^^* ^^^ y^ g** *o *^e Highlar/d* Lee/ie Lind%-, Will ye
i
Slow
go to the HigWands wi' me Will >-e go to the Highland*
h-
Lee/ie Lindfav My pride and my dar-ling to be.
The Aiild Wife ayont the Fire.
43v5^. * '^^^ ^"'<^ ^'f« beyond the fii»e,The auld wife
neilt the fire The auid wife ayont the fire She died for
lack o fnifhing There was a wife won'd in a glen. And
fhe had dochters nine or ten. That fought the houfe baith
Continned.
44*^
Choi
Her mill into fome hole had fawn. And they a piftol-bullet gat;^-
Whatrecks, quoth fhe, let it be gawn, She^powerfully began to crack.
For I maun hae a young goodman '*'
Shall furnifli me. with fnifliing.
The auld wife, &c.
To win herfelf a fnifliing.
The auld wife, &c.
Braw fport it was to fee her chowl ,
Her eldeft dochter faid right bauld, And'tween her gums fae fquee/e&row*t,
Fy, mother, mind that now yeVe auld. While frae her jaws the Haver flbw't,
And if ye with a younker wald, And ay lie curs'd poor ftunipj-. ,
He'll wafte away your fnifhing. The auld wife,&c.
The auld wife,&c.
At laft fhe gae a defperate (qute/e,
The youngeft dochter gae a fhout. Which brak the auld tooth by the nee/,
O mother dearlyour teethes a* out. And f^ne poor ftumpy was at eafc,
Befides ha'f blind, you hae the gout. But fhe tint hopes of fnifliing. '
Your mill can had nae fnifliing.
The auld wife,&c.
The auld wife, &c.
She of the tafk began to tire, ,
Ye lied, ye limmers, cried auld murop,And frae her dochters did retire,
For I hae baith a tooth and ftump. Syne leaned her down aj-ont the fire.
And will nae langer live in dump.
By Wanting o' my fnifhing.
The auld wife,&c.
And died for lack of fnifhing.
The auld mfe,&b.
Ye auld y^ives, notice vvxel this truth,
i Thole ye, fays Peg, that paxiky ftut, Affoon as je*re paft mark of mouth.
Mother, it you can crack a nut, Neer do what's only fit for vt)ut
Then we will a' confent to it.
That you Ihall have a fnifliing.
The auld wife. &c.
The auld ane did agree to that,
Snifhing.in its literal meaning, is fnuff made of tobaccoj.but in this fong
it means fometimes contentment, a huCband, love, money, kc.
ly fit for ^t)uth,
And leave aff thoughts of fnifhing:'
Elfe like this wife b,e>ont the fire.
Your bairns againft^tju will confpire
Nor will ^e get,unlefs^ie hire,
A ^-oung man with ;>t)ur fnifliing.
448
For the fake o* Somebody
Written for this Work by Robert Burns.
w^
m
^
^ }. J
436 "S * ^v lieart is fair, I dare na tell. My
'W=^
m
Slow
m
eart is fair , for Soine«bo_<n': 1 could wake a winter- niel
^TKT
K?
^
^
W -I ■'^ J. 11 J J^-fH^-^
."■»
I
'^ for the fake o* Soin6«bo«dy. Oh_hon! for Some-bo _d>'i
^B
i
-^ r ' 't
f- ir" / ---^
t. p l> >'
^
Oh _ heyi for Some-bo-dy I could range the world a-
^
J 7
^ ■<)
^
^
gg
_ round For the fake o Some _ bo - dy.
^K
J III '
Ye Powers that fmife on virtuous love,
O, fweetly fmile on Somebody!
Frae iika danger keep him free.
And fend me fafe my Somebody.
Oh_honl for Somebody I
Oh_heyl for Somebody!
{ wad do what wad I not —
For the fake o* Somebody!
The Cardm o't, 8<!(
449
SE
•nuj J. Jirr7-a
^
^
^r^y^S •*■ I *^°^t * ftane o' taflbck vvoo. To mak-i wat to
^
i
i
^m
^
Chorus
1^
"] f J^
?
tf » nig 1 1 r *
beft of onie jet. The cardin ,ot the fpin_ niti 'b t, The
i
1
t^
* — r m
W 1 9
^ rrrnfl r f f -^li^l
wat _ pin ot the win _ nin ot when il- ka ell coft
i
i
E
i->U.L_U
^^
^^
^^
J III I
a groat. The tay_ lor ftaw the Ijn-in o\.
i
^-hlH-4
*
^
For -though . his locks be lyart gray,
And though his brow be beld aboon.
Yet I hae feen him on a day
The pride of a' the parifhen.
The cardin, &c.
460
i
TThe Sonters o* Selkirk.
JJr It* up wi'the Souters o Selkirk, And down wi' tlie Earl of
"CTT U
Slowifii,&: Livelv
-a
J nrr^rjifTW^^^
5E=ff
M I icri^jjifrrg
Hun)e,Andli^re is to a the braw laddies That wear the fingle foal'd Ihoon:
3^^
ii
I
i-rfie^j^j-jir J rir-rri-i J
_M£ ■)- ■ -mr , . r, 1 — i.^jj| . , ^^» ■ ■ 1 ■ i ■'' 1 1— •-' '
♦ Its ^p wi'the fbuters o Selkirk, For they are baith tniftj' and leal; And
^
i
Cr-r-
Q— r-
i»HM-
^
Huiu"i-.*-^i ft!, ri r
^
^^f
up wi' tte lads o the Foreft,And down wi' the merfe to the deil.
W^
M
s=±
Rock and wee pickle Tow.
^
^
F=f^
U r>i ^ J J
^^
"4 (^ ^ "N There was an auld wife had a wee pickle tow. And f^e wad- gae
feg?jiJ J jiirr^ - -
Slowifh
^
p
i
Jis fir friU
try the-fpinning ot. But looten her down,her rock took a low, Aad
mg" o t, ijut lo
^
^
Continued.
4^1
f
fifif nr r r
i
pate but a' fhe could do it wad hae its ain gatejAtlaft fhe fat down
At laft fhe fat
i:; 1 ,1 f.;
^
ont and bitter- ly grat, For eer having tryd the fpinning o't.
icr'^ r
^
I hae been a wife thefe three ,f core of 3 ears..
And never did try the fpinning o't.
But how 1 was farked foul fa' th-em that fpeus
To mind me o' the beginning ot.
The wT)men are now a days turned fae bra
That ilk ane maun hae a fark,fome^maun hae twa
But better the warld was when fint ane ava
To hinder the firft beginning o't.
Foul fit them that eer ad vis d me to fpin
It minds me o' the beginning o't,
I well might have ended as 1 had begun
And never have tryd the fpinning o't
But fhes a wife wife wha kens her ain weird
I thought anes a day it wad never be fpterd
How let y-ou the low tack the rock by the beVrd
When you gaed to try the fpinning o't.
The fpinning the fpinning, it gars my heart fab
To think on the ill beginning o't
1 tookt in my head to make me a wab
And this was the firft beginning o t
But had I nine Daughters as 1 hae but three
The fafeft and foundeft advice I wad gie
That tiiey wad frae fpinning ftill keep their hands free
For fear of an ill beginning ot.
But if they in fpite of my counfel wad run
The dreary fad tafk o' the fpinning o't .
Let them find a loun feat light up hy the fun
Syne ^'enture on the beginning o't :
For wha 8 done as I ve done alake and a\tvw
To bufk up a rock at the cheek of a low.
They 11 fay that I had little wit in my pow.
The meikle Deil tak the fpinning o't.
45*2
Tibbie Fowler.
'rJ'J- !.hJ ^' f lf]-J./ J'
4/lQ -< Jt^ Tibbie Fowler o the glen, There's o'er mony woo _ in
SEE
Slow
P
P
I) N'}J J' r^^
^P
P
at her, Tibbie Fowler o the glen, there s oer mony wooin at her.
g
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Chorus.
m
m
P P ^ [-^^
w^
Wooin at her, pu in at her, courtin at her, can _ na get herj
itkrh ^ f f '■
iU-^ ** — ^ [ 1 1 -^- ^ •■ ^ ±
Lllr ilLLJlj
^ N K||l
^
P
, . , , « — * — wr
Filthy ell, its for her pelf, that a the lads are wooin at her.
hfczfaE
^=^=T^
i
Ten cam eaft, and ten came weft, ten came rowin oer the water;
Twa came down the lang dyke fide, there 8 twa and thirty wooin at her.
Wooin at her, &c.
There s feven but, and feven ben, feven in the pantry wi* her;
Twenty- 'head about the door. There 8 ane and fortj- wooin at her.
Wooin 'at her, &c.
Shes got pendles in her Iug8,Cockle-fheIls wad fet her better;
High-heel'd fhoon and filler tags. And a' the lads are wooin at her.
'Wooin at her. &c.
Be a lafsie e er fae black. An fhe hae the name o filler.
Set her upo' Tintbck-tap, The wind will blaw a man till her.
Wooin at hd.r, &c.
Be a lafsie -eer fae fair, An fhe want the pennie filler;
A flie mz\' fell her in the air. Before a inan be even till Jber.
Wooin at her, fee .
On hearing a Vonng Ladv ^ing.
4 53
-v'i,(i M r ^ rYi^' J
Slow
P
C'HiiiJ^.nf ffi
ji -9.^ t J ■ ^m^^n ^i
harming Jackie fing; Her notes pathe-tic rife and fall fweet
i
'^t%\^- J J I
^^
tat
iiijijiJ:/3-J3:j7iJ g II .nil n
s
of her fong. With raptures fill the youthful bfeaft; E*en age re^
^'■''^H r i.^^^
^
i^.> w r i'„- 1
^-^^n r ci^ii^^ijjj J It
_ vives, grows gay_ ly young, And blithly joins the vocal ftaft.
\ f J 1 J ,*' . [" Hz
^^
iio, on fweet maid, improve the lay
Attun'd to ftrains of plaintive woe;
They always bear refiftlefs fwa_\'
' When fung by charming Jackie O,
Long may.fhe blefs her parents ear,
And always prove their mutual joy,
May no beguilerr artful fnare.
The peace of innocence annov.
4rM
Theres three gnde fellow ajont jon glen
n i' ^ i' ^
P
^
440 -< -iK Theries three true gude fellows, Theres three true gude
«-^
Lively
^H^
^
^^ ^ Solo
fellows down a\'ont yori elen. Its
eres three true gude fellows down a\'ontj'ori glen. Its
1
^ ^ t
P
rrrrtrnr-^ t r^citr tp^
now the dav is dawin. But or night to fain,Whafe cocks bcTt at crawih.
W^
ll ' ^"^J^ " ^~^'^-^^
■9 — '~~**«55
Chorus
Willie thou fall ken. Theres three true gude fellows,Theres three tru
^^
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^
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M
^3
i
fellows dowTi a>ont \ai
*^ gude fellows.There's three true gude fellows dow^ ajont \an glen.
^S»
[1^1 [ r-n^^^
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
The wee thing: or Marj of Caftle Carj.
J r I n' J
44(5 "S ■'^^'^ ^^ ""^ ^^^ thing; Saw 3 e mine ain thingrSaw \e my
^
5S
^
J TiLLf
J K K
i^
^^
r..| r F F r
true love down on yon lea? Ci'ofsd Ihe the meadow, ;)eftreen at the
-0- » j^ _ _ _ ■
«tJ=nr
¥
S
^
f
^
»:
Continned
455
"Her hair it is lint whitel her fkin it is milk whitel
'Dark is the blue o' her faft rolling eel
"Red red her ripe lips, and fweeter than rofts. —
"Whar could my wee thing wander frae me?
'I faw na 5'our wee thing, I faw na 3 our ain thing,
'Nor /faw I your true love down by yon lea;
'But 1 met tny bonny thing late in the gloaming,
'Down by the burnie whar flow're the haw tree.
*Her hair it was lint white, her fkin it was milk white,
'Dark was the blue o' her faft rolling eel
•'Red war her ripe lipc, and fweeter than roles 1
'Sweet war the kifses that fhe gae to me;
It was na- my wee thing! It was na my ain thing.
"It was na my true love ye met by the treel
"PrOud is her leil heart; modeft her nature,
''She never lo'od on^ till ance fhe lo'od me.
'Her name it is Mar_>', fhe's frae Caftle Gary,
'Aft has fhe fat, when a bairn, on my kneel
'Fair as 3 our face is, wart fifty times fairer,
'Young braggerl Che ne'er would gie kifses to-thee.'
'it was then _>our Mary, fhe's frae Caftle Car^ ,
'It was then > our true love I met by the tree.
'Proud as her heart is, and modeft her nature,
'Sweet war the kifses that fhe gae to mel
Sair gloom'd his dark brow, blood red his Cheek grew.
Wild flach'd the fire, frae his red rolling ee; —
"Ye's rue fair this morning, your boafts and >t)urfcorning
"Defend ye faufe traitor; fu' loudly ye lie!
"Awa wi' beguiling, cried the ^outh froiling;
Aff went the bonnet; the lint -white locks flee;
The belted plaid fa'ing, her white bofom fhawing.
Fair ftaod the lov'd maid wi' the dark rolling eel
Is it my wee thingl is it mine ain thing?
"Is it my true love here that I fee?-
O Jamiel forgie me, jx)ur hearts conftant to me;
'I'll never mair wander, my true love, frae thee.
4 56
O can ye few CaXliioiis.
I J' J fli J il X f J
444: '*^"^ ^ ^i? -^ ^*^ C^Otiong and caW >W iJ^e^
1
Slow
fc=i
i
^^
fa
^
P
Sheets and can ye Cmg bai.lu^loo wh^n the. bai
J c;cr'cj p'^i^^
^*r
#
i
^
^
^^
greets. And ii«e and baw bir^ die and hee arjd baw
. 0m^ ■ m^ - "' ^ .III,!!! I I 1^.1^111 W ^ ■ ■■■■-|»t»ll I I ■ I.JK I ^^■■|.,.— — — !■■■ I !■
fl^
i
q ft
J J Jl'r.r^Jff-
f^-f^-U-H
W
^
lamb and hee and baw bir_die ^my bon_nie wee lamb.
^
Dir_aie ,niv oor
r rf if
^
^
Lively
i
J IJJJ J I J
c w J .ij:^
Hee O wee O what woud 1 do' wi you blacks the
^^'^^-rmf- f r f\ fm
? I JlJ J^^r^lJj :i JlJ'JHJi
ft th^t I lead wi* you monny O you little for 'to gie you
K^-f ir r 'MfPPPif F;fn
Slow
yj J J ji f-j|j j; Jill.
h^e O wee O what would I do wi* you
what
-S4
n f f\i'- [■ iJ r 1 111^
The glancing of her Apron
467
'^ArJ- ^'JJB
44^
W=f
rrt-T
In lovely Auguft laft. On Mononday at morn. As
b^M I J
p
Hr-t^i^-L!
w^
-# ^»^
i jl^j J I j' 'M
=1
^
I
thro* the fields 1 paft. To view tie yellow corn I
r • r r i^\ls' ^-j^.r^ip
J i j'j;:v^j i ,HiJ3-/J r--tH
glancing in her ap_ ron. With a bonnie brent brow
r • f r cj 'O .K^'jys
I faidygood morrow, fair maid;
And fhe, right courteoflie.
Returned a backhand kindly faid
Good day, fweet fir to thee.*
I fpeir'd, my dear, how far awa
Do ye intend to gae.
Quoth fhe, I mean a mile, or twa
And oer ynn broomy brae.
Fair maid, Im thankfu to voy fate
To have fie company;
For lam ganging ftraight that gate,
Whefe )e intend to be.
When we had gane a mile or twain,
1 faid to her, my dow.
May we not lean u» on this plain,
And kifs your bonny moul
-4 58
Walv, Waly. _A different fet _ fee Volume 2f.Page 1€6
She fajs fhe lo'es me beft of a.
^Writtt-n for this Work by Robert Burns. An Irifh Air
447 "^ ^ ^^® flax-en were her ringlets, Her eyebrows of
-/*-" ,dark.er hue, Be Wtchingly oer arch _ ing Twa laughing een o'
^=r^.\-^-^-^^^
=Ht
67v
bo n lie blue Her fmil^ing fae w^U jng. Wad mak
J- ^'tCJ
Con tinned
459
Like harmony her motion;
Her pretty ancle is a fpy,
Betra\ing fair proportion,
Wad make a faint forget the fky.
Sae warming, fae charming.
Her fautelefs form and gracefu air;
Let others love the city,
And gaud}' {hew at funny noon;
Gie me the lonely valley-.
The dewy eve, and rifing moon
Fair beatning, & ftreaming
Her Olver light the boughs anian^-
While falling, recalling, (^fang;
Ilk feature aulid. Nature
Declar'd that fhe could do nae mair: The amorous thrufh concludes his
Hers are the willing chains o* love, There, dear«ft Chloris.wilt thou rove-
By conquering Beautj-'s fovereign law; By ^Nimpling burn & leafy- Oiaw,
And a} my Chloris d,eareft charm. And hear my vows o' truth and love.
She fays.ftie lo'ea me beft of a'. And fay, thou lo'es n^e beft of a'.
^60
The bonie lafs made the bed to me
Written for this Work by Robert Burfts.
to the north I took my , way. The mirk, fome night di
^^^^Mtr^^
m
p
^^^
^
h-
^
^\ I cr->^g
me enfauld, I knew na wharo to lodge till da}'
^
f^ J Si I I
^^
By my gude Ixick a maid I met,
Juft in the n;iddle o my care;
And kindly fhe did me invite
To walk into a chamber fair.
I bowd fu* low unto this maid.
And thankd her for her courtefie;
{ bowd fu low unto this maid.
And bad her mak a bed for me.
Her cheeks like lilies dipt in wine.
The lafs that* made the bed to me.
Her bofom was the driven fnaw,
Twa drifted heaps fae fair to fee;
Her limbs the polifhd marble ftane.
The lafs that made the bed to me.
I kifsd her oer and o'er again.
And ay fhe vkift na what to fay;,
She made the bed baith large and wide, I laid her between me and the wa'
Wi' twa white hands fhe fpread it down; The lafsie tjiought na lang till da}-.
iihe put the cup to her rcfy lips
And drank, Voung man nowfleep>Te found.'Upon the morrow when we rafe,
I th&nk'd her for her courtefie:
She fnatchc! the candle in her hand.
And frae m>' chamber went vti'fpeed;
But I calici her quickly back again
To lay fome mair below my head.
A cod fhe iaid below ny head.
And ferved me wi' due refpect;
And to falute her wi' u kifs,
I put my arms about her neck .
But ay fhe blufh'd & ay fhe figh'd,
And faid,Alas y^e've ruind me.
1 clifpd her waift & kife'd her fjne.
While ih& tear ftood twinklin in her ee
I faid, my lafsie dinna cry.
For ye ay fhall mak the bed to me.
She took her mither* holland HieetS
And made them a' in farks to me:
Haud aff }our hands j oungman,fhe faj 8,81^ the and merrj- may (he be.
And dinna fae uncivil be:
Gif ye hae ony luve for me,
O wrang na my virginitiei •
Her hair was like the links o gowd.
Her teeth were like the ivorie.
The lafs that made the bed to me.
The bonie lafs made the bed to me.
The braw lafs made the bed to me.
I'll ne'er forget till the day that I dii
The lafs that made the bed to me..
Sae far Awa.
Written for this Work b^ Roberf Burne.
461
How true is love to pure dcaert,
So love to her, «ae far »wa:
And nocht can heal my bosom's smart,
While, Oh, aht is sae far awa.
Ntne other love, nane other dart,
I feel, but hers sae far awa;
But fairer never touch'd a heart
Than het*8, the Fair sae far awa.
462
Pnt the gown crpOTi the Bifhop
^^^^^j .-ri j-^J:iin j.nJ
^
^^Q-<^ ^f Put the gown u_ pon the Bifhop, That » his miller-
^fe
^^
Liveh'
■f J M jijiJc/rirr^r^i^r ^^
due o' knavefhip Jenny Geddes wag the gofsip, Pat the gown «-
GB^
q,^ r
^
1 -rj rj I n j: r7-^^
^
3^
0 ' ^ o-
_ pon the BifEop; Pat the gown u_pon the Bifhop.
FrH»—
xr
H
i
,,^.;.4fA^A^jt.;.^J54^Ajt.;.}^.;.if.;.^^^^^
Hallow Fair Theres focrth of braw Jockies, 8Cc.
^fehM
K—ft
■0 c ffl V-
^
<4 ^ 1 < Thereg fouth of" braw Jockies and Jennys Comes
m
Lively
K f -N K N f — m
=N » fl'i h K k k
^g '' L- —
3=P^
■^' ■«* — 0 — ♦
weel-bufked into the fair. With ribbons on their cocker _ no _
^ ,■!
^£
Continned.
463
fae weel buf-lced. That Willie was t^-'d to his bride; Tiie
^
f f N — fr
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pounie was ne'er better whifked Wi'^cfudgel that liang frae hie fide.
But Maggie was wondrous jealous Wi' fniring behind and before him.
To fee Willie bufked fae braw; For fie is the metal of brutes:
And Sawney, he fat in the aIehoufe> Poor Wattie, and waes me for him,
And hard at the liquor did caw. • Was fain to gang hame in his boots.
There was Geordy thsit well lovd his las-
He touk the pint-ftoup in his arms. Now it was late in the ernin^.
And huggd it,and faid,Trouth thejre fauc\- And boughting time was drawing neSlSr
That loos nae a good fathers bairn. The lafses had ftenchd their greening
With fouth of braw apples and beer,
.There was Wattie the muirland laddie. There was tillie,and Tibbie,and Sibbie,.
That rides on the bonny grey cout, And Ceicy on the fpinneUcouId fpin,
With {word by his. fide like a cadie. Stood glowringat figns feglaft wiiinocks,^
To drive in the fheep and the knout. But deila ane bade them come in.
His doublet fae weel it did fit him,
It fcarcely came down to mid thigh, God guides! fawyou ever the like o it?
W^ith hair poutherd,hat and a feather. See yonders abonny black fwan;
And houfmg at courpon and tee. It glowrs ast wad fain be at us;
Whatsyon that it hads in its hand,^
Awa,daft gouk, cries Wattie,
They re a' but a rick I e of fticks;
See there is Bill,Jock,and auld Hackis,
And _>ondere Meft John & auld Nick.
Quoth Maggie,Come bu\' us our fairing:
But bruckie playd boo to bauile»
And aff fcourd the cout like the wn:
Poor Wattie he fell in the caufie.
And birfs'd a the bams m his fkin.
His piftols fell out of the hulfters,
/ind were a bedaubed with dirt;
iJic folks they came round him in clufters, And Wattie right fleelj- cou'd tell,
SoHic leugh,and cr>-(1,Lacl,ny,s- a ou hurt?! think thou re the flowr of the clach'eh
In trouth now I'fe gie ;)T)u"m3' fell.
But cout wad lef: nae l)od>- ftf er him, But wha woud eer thought it o' him.
He was a\- iae wantoti and llceegh; That eer he had rippled the lint?
Ihe packmans ftands he o'erturn'd them, Sae proud was he o' his Maggie,
And gard a the Jo ;ks ftand a-beech; The' Ihe did baith fcalie and fquint
464
I'll never love thee more.
A? Alexander 1 ♦viU reign.
And I will rei^n alone.
My thoughts did evermore disdain
A rival on my throne,
Be either fears hi« fate too much,
Or his deserts are email,
v\lio dares not put it to the touch,
To gain or lose it all.
But I will reign and govern stilt,
A nd always giv« the law ;
And hive each subject at my will,
And all to stand in awe;
But gaioet my- batt ries if I find
Thou storm or vex me sore,
And if .thou set me as a blind,
I'll never love thee more.
And in the empire of thy heart.
Where I should solely be.
If others do pretend a part.
Or dare to share with me;
Or committees if thou erect,
Or go on such a score,
I'll, smiling, mock at the neglect.
And never love thee more.
But if no faithless action stain
Thy love and constant word,
I'll make thee famous by my pen,
And glorious by my sword,
I'll serve thee in Such noble waj:s,
As ne'er was known before;
I'll deck and crown thy head with ba>'S>
Aftd love thee more and more.
Mj father has forty good fhillings.
466
^
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4*53 "^^ ^^ father has forey good fkillin^s, HaT hal good
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fbiUingsI And never a daughter but I; My mother flie is right willing
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Hal ha! right nillingl That ! fhall have all when they die. And I
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wonder 'when 1*11 be marryd Hal hal be marrj-dl My beauty begine to
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'•^ decay; Its time to catch ha'd o' foin*body Hal hal fomebodyl Be-
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-fore it be a' run away. And 1 wonder when 1*11' be marr^ 'd
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My fhocs I hey are at the mending. My father will buy me a ladle,
M\- bti< V.(<?8 they are in the cheft^ At my wedding we'JI hae a good fane;
My ftockiiit^n are ready for fending: For my uncle will buy me a cradle,
Then I'll be as braw as the reft. To rock my child in when its yoting.
And I wonder, ftc.^ And 1 wonder, fee.
166
434
Oar Goodman came hame at e en, 8Cc.
Recit, ^^ in time
f. J J Jl J J^ pi). ^
ir troodtnan came hame at e'en. And hame cam*
Fecit.
msz
U
Our goodman came hame at e'en. And hame came he; And
Slowish.
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there he saw a saddle hor8e,Whcre nae horse should be. O howr
mtime
Continaed.
46?
Our ^oodman came hame at e en.
And hame came he;
He epj'd a pair of Jackboots,
Where nae boots should be.
What's this now good»vife?
What's this I see?
How came these boots there
Without the leave o* mei
BootsI quo' she:
A)-, boots quo' he.
Shame fa* J"our cuckold face.
And ill mat ye see.
It's but a pair of water stoups
The cooper sent to- me.
Water stoupsi quo' he;
Ay\ water stoups, quo' she. .
Far hae I ridden,
And farer hae I gane,
But sillcr spurs on water stoups
Saw I never nane.
Our goodman came hame at e'en.
And hame came be;
And then he saw a^siner) sword.
Where a sword should not be:
Whftt's this now goodwife?
What's this I see? .
O how came this sword here.
Without the leaA'e o' mt?
A sword 1 quo' ahe:
A\-, a sword, quo' he.
Shame fa' your cuckold face.
And ill mat you see.
Its but a parrid^e spurt le
Mj- rtinnie sent to me.
(a parrid^t Bpurtlei quo' he:
Ayt a parrid^e spurtle quo' she.)
Weil, far hae I ridden.
And muckle h.ie I seen;
But siller handed (parridge^ spurtJes
S;iw ! never nane.
Our goodman came hame at een.
And hame came be;
There he spyd a powder tl wig.
Where nae wig should Ije.
What's this now good wile,''
Wh;tt's this I see?
How came this wig here.
Without the leave o' me.
A wigl quo' she;
Aj, a wi^. quo' he.
Shame fa' your cuckold face,
And ill ir;:it 3-ou see,
Tis natthiiki? but a clocken hen
My minnie sent to ire.
A clocken henlquo' he:
Ay, a clocken hen, quo* she.
Far hae I ridden.
And muckle hae I seen.
But powder on a ciocken-h*w.
Saw 1 never nane.
Our goodman came hame »t tren.
And hame came he*
And there he saw a muckle coat.
Where, nae coat shoud be.
O how Came this coat here?
How can this be?
How came this coat here
Without the Itave o' ixie?
A coati quo" she;
Ay, a coat, quo' he
Ye auld blind dotard raff^
Blind mat ye be.
Its but a pair of blankets
M\' minnie sent fo me.
Blankets! quo' he:
Ay, blankets, quo she.
Far hae I ridden.
And muckle hae 1 seen.
But buttons upon biynktts
-Saw I never nane,
Ben went our goodman,
A {id ben went he;
And there he spy'd a sturdy- man.
Where nae man should be.
How came this man here.
How can this be?
How came this, man here,
Without tie leave o' we?
A man. quo' she:
A\ , a man, quo' het
Poor blind bodj ,
And blinder mat ye be.
It's a new milking maid.
My mither sent to me.
A maidi quo' he;
Ay, a maid, quo' she.
Far hae i ridden.
And muckle hae I seen,-
But lang^bearded maidens
Saw I never nane.
468
Sir John Malcolm.
t^f^JiJ- J; rT T'F f nLLi
^'S^ < * O keep ye weel frae Sir John Malcolm, I-go and
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a-go» ^-f ^6*s a wife mj.n I tniftak him, Iram coram dago
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O keep,, ye weel frae San _ die Don, l-go and a^go He s
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ten times daf_ter than Sir John, frara coram da.go.
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To hear them of their travels talk, Igo and ago.
To gae to Londons but a walk: Tram coram dago.
I hae been at Amftcrdam, A.c.
Wher« I faw mony a braw madam.
To fee the wonders of the deep.
Wad gar a man baiTh wail and weep;
To fee the Leviathans fkip.
And wi their tail ding o'er a fhip.
Was ye eer in Crail town?
Did ye fee Clark Difhing'toun?
His wig was. like a drouket ben,
And the tail ot hang down
like a meikle maan lani^' draket gray goole-pen.
But for to make ye mair enamour d.
He has a glafs >ii his be ft chamber;
But forth he ftept unto the door.
For he took pills tiie m^ht before.
Lizae Baillle.
469
I am fure they wad nae ca' me wife. She wacj nae hae a Lawland laird.
Gin I wad gang wi* you. Sir; Nor be an Englifti lady;
Foe J can neither card nor fpin. But ihe wad gang wi' Duncan Gra>me-
Nor yet milk ewe or cow, SirV And row her in his plaidie.
"My bonny Lizae Baillie,
Let nane o thefe things daunt ye;
Ye' 11 hae nae need to card or fpin.
Your mither weel can want ye'.*
She was nae ten miles frae the town,
When {he began to weary;
She aften looked back, and faid,
Farewell to CaftJ«<;arry.
Now fhe» caft aff her bonny fhoen, "The^firft place Ifawmj-DuncanGneme
Made o' the gilded leather. Was near yon holland bufh.
And fhes put on her highland brogues. My father took frae me my rings.
To fkip amang the heather: My rings but and my purfe.
And fhe 8 caft aff her bonny gown, "But I wad nae gie my Duncan Grame
Made o' the filk and fattin. For a' my fathers land,
And fhe s put on a tartan plaid. Though it were ten times ten times mair.
To row amang the braken. And a' at my command!'
+ + + +++ + +
Now wae be to _>-ou, logger-heads.
That dwell near Caftlecarry,
To let awa fie a bonnj- iafs,
A Highland man to marr> -.
4:'o
The Heel o' Stnmpie.
ftt-n^}}:} ^M'l' J f- f-M^^
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daddie was a Fiddler fine. My minnie (he made inan_ti« O; And
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I rnyfel- a thumpin quine. And danccJ the reel J fturopie O
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I'll aj ca' in by Jon Town,
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^i^ ril av ca' in by von town. And bv voi
4^5 ft "S ^ ^'^^ »y ca' in by yon town. And by yon garden
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reen, a_gain; I'll ay ca* in by yon town. And fee my
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*- bonie Jean a_q-ain. There's nane fall ken there's nane fall
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Continned.
471
Shell wander by the aiken tree»
When tryftin time draws near again;
And when her lovely form 1 fee,
O haith»fhe8 dotibfy^ dear againl
I*ll ay ca', &c .
.^ . To the forepoinp; Tnne.
Written for this Work by Rob^ert Burns.
O wat ye whaV in yon town. And welcome Lapland's dreary flKy;
Ye fee the eenin Sun upon, O wat ye whk's,&c.
The deareft maids in yon town.
That eenin Sun is fliining on. My cave wad be a lovers bow'r.
Now haply down jon gay green fhaw; Tho' raging winter rent the air;
She wanders b^- yon fpreadmg tree. And fhe a lovely little flower.
How b4eft ye fiowr's that round her blaw, That I Vad tent and fhelter there.^
Ye catch the glances o' her e*e. O wat ye wha*8,fec,
O wat ye wha's, fee.
O fweet is fhe in yxin town*
How bleft ye birds that round herfing,The firikin Suns gane donn upon;-
And Tivelcome in the blooming year, A fairer thans in yon town,
And doubly welcome be the fpring.
The feafon to my Jeanie dear.
O wat ye wha's,.<:c.
The fun blinks blyth on yon to\N-n,
Amang-the broomy braes fae green;
But ray tiie lights in yon town.
And deareft pleafure is my Jean:
O wat ye wha's,fec.
Without my fair, not a the charms,
O Farad ife could j-eild mc Joy;
But gie me Jeanie in my arms.
His fetting beam neer fhone up<^)n.
O wat ye whaV,fec.
If angry fate is {worn my foe.
And fuffeiing I am doom'd to bear;
I carelefs quit aught elfe below,
But,fpare me fpare me Jeanie dear.
O wat ye wha's,fec.
For while life's deareft hlooA is viiarm,
Ae thought frae her fhall ne'er depart,
And fhe^as fairtft is her form.
She has the trueft kindeft heart.
O wat ye wha's^fec. g^
4*7^
Will ye go and marrj Katie.
^4 AQ -<!*^'V Will ye go and marry Katie, can y^ think to tak a man!
£
Slowifh
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It 8 a pi„ ty ane fae f)ret_ty Should na do the thing they can
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You, a charming lovely creature, Wharefore wad ye lie yer lane!
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Beauty s of a fading nature. Has a feafon, and is gane.
J r M ii'i
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Therefore while ye re blooming Katie, Mony words are need lefs, Katie,
Liften to a loving fwain;
Tak a mark by auntie Betty,
Ance the darling o the men:
She, wi coy and fickle nature,
Triped aff till fies grown auld.
Now fhes left by ilka creature;
Let Tia this o' thee be tauld.
But, my dear and lovely Katie,
This ae thing I hae to tell,
I could "wifh nae man to get ye,
Save it were my very fel,
Tak me, Katie, at my offer,
Or be-had, and PU tak you:
Ye re a wanter, fae am I ;
If j-e wad a man fhould get ye.
Then I can that want fuppJy:
Say then, Katie, fay ye'll take me.
As the ver^' wale o' men, .3
Never after to forfake me, 1
And the Prieft fhall fay, Amen.
Then, O! then, my charming Katie,
When we re married what comes them
Then nae ither man can get ^e.
But je'll be my very «in:
Then we'll kifs and clap at plealure, '
Nor wi' env^' troubled be;
We a mak nae din about your tocher; Jf ance I had my lovely treafure.
Marry, Katie, then *»e''i woo. Let the rtft adtnire and die.
Blne^ Bouuets
473
460 "^^ Wherefore fiehirit^ art. thou i'hillis? Has thy Prime un _
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_h<ad_<-c! paft ha it thou iouiifj liiat beau*} s li _ lies Were not
Sarup Tune
T30WERS cclcftial, whofe protection Make the galea 3 ou waft around her,
^ *~ " " " ' ~ r." • Soft and peacefui as her breaft;
Breathing in the bree/ethat fans her,
SoQliiher bofom into reft:
Guari-liaa angels, O protect her.
When in diftant lands I roam; .
To rtairos unknown while fate exilen-
Ever guards ;hf virtuous Fair.
While in diltant clirrts I wander,
I.ct \T,} iVJar\ be .\ our care;
Let her ionn (u fair and faultleis.
Fair a lid fault. 'els as 3 our own;
Let.mv Mar; s kindred fpirit.
Draw \our ciioiteft iniluence dow:i. Make h«r ij^iioin liill raj'ixonie.^^me,
474
The broom blooms bonie,
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/^£)j^ "V* ^' * whifperd in parlour, its whifpcr'j in lia,TJie broom
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bJooma bonie,the broom blooms fair; Ladj Markets wi' child u _
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mang our ladies a. And fhe dare na gae down to the broom nae niair.
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One tad\- whifperd unto another.
The broom blooms bonic, the- broom blooms fair;
rad> Margets wi' child to Sir Ricbird her brother.
And fhe dare na gam down to the broom nae mair.
O when that ^ou hear my loud loud cr^-.
The broom blooms &c.
Then bend your bow and let J«ur arrows fl_)-,
For I dare na gae down flc.
■^ +.+ +-f + + + + + -»--»' + + + -f- + + -f'f
The Ran tin Latldie.
462
Aften hte I playd at th« cards and the dice, For the
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love of a bonie ^t*T^tJn laddie; But now T maun fit in m>
^77 ^ifr^CTTf
47.6
g^9^_^j^,upl.l^^^
fathers kitchen ntuk and Bifi-low a baftard babie.
P^^^.
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For my father he will not nit o*vn»
And my mother fhe neglects ir.e.
And a' n\ friends hae lightlyed nit.
And their fervants they do flijt^ht n-Cj
But had I a fervant at my command,
A« aft times I ve had many*
That wad rin wi* a letter to bonie Glienfwood,
Wi'a letter to my rantin laddie.
Oh, is he either a laird, or a lord,
Or i« he but a cadir.
Thai \c do him ca* fac afttn hy name,
Your bonie, bonit- rantin l«ddie.
Indeed he is haith a iatrd and a lord.
And he never was a cadie;
But he IS the Karl <> bonie A\>o}ti«,
And' he is mv rantjn laddie.
O \ e'ae get a fervant at _>onr command.
As aft times ^* ve had nian^-,
Th;it fall ria wi' a Utter to bonie Glenfwood,
A letter to your rantin laddie.
When lord Abo_>Tie did the letter get,
0 but he blinket bonie;
But OT he had read three lines of it,
1 think his heart was forr^-,
O v\ha is daur be fae bauld,
Sue cruelly to uft jny lafsie?
+ + + -♦- + + + -f+ -f +
+ + + + + + + + "«-
Kor h<r father he will not her knov*.
And her mother (he docs flight her;
And a' her friends hae lightlied her.
And their fervants the^- neglect her.
Go raife to me my five hundred men.
Make hafte and make them read; ;
With a n;ilkwh)tc f((ed under evcr\ ar.e.
For ff) bring hame my l»<iy.
As the^' cam in thro' Buchan- fhire,
The\ were a company bonie.
With a gude claymor in eveiy hand.
And O, but they fhind b ariio.
■n'^
The Lafs lh:>! \vinn;» fit ilown
46c5 "S * VVhat think vc o ih* fc-rirnfu' qume 'ill no flf. d<-v\ii b\
Slowifh
^gjN^N^^^^^i
trhx
me I'll fee the day that fhe'l 1 repine ua_, lefs iht dr>fs sgite, O
^-^ r ^ rU~r ^^Ur^-ffi
And yet fhe is a charming quine.
She's juft oer meikle fpice
Til fee the dav that fhe' 11 be mine.
For I'm nae ver^ nice.
I Loot the lafsie tak' her will,
An^- ftand upo her fhanks,
Tie rl;i\ ii!u^ come whan 1 will fpoi
Ht r lH)nn> faucy pranks."
Wj' my Tirr_y', fee.
f I lid ii.v head upo' ni\ loof,
I did i;a' r.;i'(: a ftrae,
I kind iovv vMcl that in a joof
Sland lang ii.e wad na fac.
At laft H bKthConie lafs did crji ,
C'on.e Sand, jj'< n a i~;""ig.
O udA meg dorts I'll fanly tv_\
Your heart ftrings ior to twang.
Wi'a Tirry.fec.
The lafsies pride it coud na laft,
1 fang wi' meikle glee.
Until at laft fhe fairh cafl»
Upo' iiK- a fhetps te .
A hai thinks I, my bounie lal.s.
Hat yt laid by ^fjur pride.
1, You re bonnier now than eer \0U wuk.
And y^ fall be my bride.
Wi' y'our Tirrv, fee.
I gae the laf» a levin' fquint.
That made her bliilh fac red,
1 faw fhe fairly took the hint,
Whiidi made my heart fou glad
The bonnie lafs is a' mine ?.in:
For we twa d:d agree.
Now ilka niglit fhe's unno iuiu.
For to lie doun wi' me.
We' her Tirr\,fec.
O May thy morn.
Written for this Work by Robert Burns
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4^4 -<** O May thy morn w»« neer »ae sweet, As th
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mirk night o' December, For sparkling was the rosy Mine, And
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privat-e was the chamber: And dear wa* she, \ dare na
^
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And here 8 to them, that, like oursel.
Can push about the jorum;
And here's to them that wish us-weel.
May a that s gude watch o'er them:
And here s to them, we dare na tell,
The dearest o' the quorum-
And here's to them, v,e dare na tell.
The dearest o' the quorum.
478
Mj Miunie faj« I iriauaa,
A'j.ijj ; J Ji r .^^^^^]4jL4-j
4^j^-^*-^ Fu* fain wad I be Jamie's lass, My Minnie tay» I
^h^Hgj rr^^^TT Mr ^ r -I
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manna. , My daddie cursd, my minnie grat. And T wi' Jamies
^w
Mr t ts fic; ^'W
J- f fin ^
♦ — #
love 8ud quat. But in try heart 1 11 tell you w-haf, I said in
The Chei-ry and the Slae.
Tune, the banks of Helicon.
Continaed
479
f"il ''.^llll
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^EE
_ lutet mirthful .May. Quhen Philo _ mel had sweeny sung, To'
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Progne scho deplord. How Tereus cut out her tT;i»g, And
^
;^'f J-J -^ j.ii i' iM^Jj^JJi ^^
falsly her deflourd; Quhilk 8to_ry so sor_ ie To schaw h< -leJf
-J r jj
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J I Ji^J/^J.J/ir.ia
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flcho seimt. To heir her, so neir her, [ doutit if I dreimt.
^-f-rrih
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The Cushat crouds, the Corbie crys.
The Coukow couks, the prattling Pyes,
To geek hir they begin:
The Jargoun of the jangling Ja\-ts,
The craiking Craws, and keckling KayB,
They deavt me with their din.
The painted Pawn with Argos ejis.
Can on his May-ock call.
The Turtle wails on witherit tries.
An Echo answers all,
Repcting with greiting,
How fair Narcissus fell,
B\- lying and spying
His schadow in the well.
I *aw the Hurcheon and the Hare
In hidlings hirpling heir and thair.
To mak thair morning mang:
The Con, the Cuning and the Cat,
Quhais daintj' downs' with dew were wat.
With stif nuistachis strange.
The Hart,l|be Hynd, the Dae, the Rae,
The Fulmert arid false Fox;
The beardit Buck clam up the bu^,
With birssy Bairs and Brocks
Sum feiding, sum dreiding
The Hunters subtile snairs,
With skipping and tripping,
They playit them all in pi.irs.
The air was 8obir,8aft and sweet,
Nte mi8f\- vapours, wind nor weit.
But qi!>"it, calm and clear, '
To foster Flora fragrant flowri-
Quhairon Apollos pariimouris,
Had trinklit mony a teir;^Bhvnd,
The quhilk lyke silver schaikcrs -
Embroydering Bewties bed
Quhairwith their heavy heids dtniynd,
In Mayis coHouris cled,
Sum knOping, sum droping, •
Of balmy liquor sweit,
.Excelling and smiliing
Ihrow I'hrbuB haiisvim h^il.
«(0. fcc.\V(;. kc. kc. &c. kc.
480
As I came o er the Cairnev moant.
^■/3ijj]j.i:]ii^;j7T-^^T^-^
zd^^ 'S ^ As I came oer the Cairney mount, And down amang the
s^-!-^
.*^low
^^
i
^^^
frae the stormy weather. O my bonie Highland lad, M
1 'j- 1 "4 1
xr
wind and rain, Sae weel rowel in his tartan plaidie
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Now Phebus blinkit on the bent.
And o'er the know's the lamb* were bleating:
But he wan my heart s consent.
To be his ain at the neist meeting.
O my bonie Highland lad,
My winsome, weoli'ar'd Highland laddie:
VVha wad mind the wind and rain,
Sae weel row'd in his tartan plaidie.
Highland I.adf^ie
4hl
a^3
^
^
^l^O < 9^ The bon _ niest lad th
^^^^^:
it « eir 1 ea
S]owish,but Chearful.
i
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; } i. .^If i'.J
Bo « nie lad _ die. High _ land laddie, His royal heart was
Trumpets sound and cannons roar,
Bonie lassie, Lawland lassie.
And a' the hills wi' echoes' roar,
fionie Lawland lassie
Glory, Honour, now invite.
Bonie lassie, Lawland lassie.
For freedom and my King to fight,
Bonie Lawland lassie.
The sun a backward course shall take
Bonie laddie, Highland laddie.
Ere ought thy manl)' courago shake;
Bonie, Highland laddie.
Go; for ^t>ursfl proi;:vfre renown,
Bonie lad cJifc, Highland laddie,
And for ^-our lawful king his crown,
Bonie, Highland laddiel
A.
f^'^^
48^2
Chronicle of the heart.
Tune Gingling Geordie.
J^ ^ r ^ 1 fT^oz^
^JM,^r JT"^gi
m
Af^Q -<*^* HoMr often my heart basb\- Io« bfen o*erthrown, what
■*'uli 1
a
^^
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■f i'f^ ni:-g J'jJrir'gJfpnr-fi
who that has got e'er an eye m his pate Co difinal a tale T^ithout tears can re-
^
^
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mr f JfT riCfTj J^iJ'.j J J
- late, or who fuch dire annals recall to his mind,wlthout burfting in tears
m
Chorus
(fri!\' thcv liii.nf and how dreadful the hstvockthev make in inv heart.
^ »\ 0 =P= N , ^^ ' ' mm f "^', 0 -.'- — : ■
.-T-^g-:
"^.
Contiuoed. ^^'"^
This kingdom as Authors impartial have told.
At firft was elective, bit afterwards sold.
For experience will shew whoe'er pleases to tr\.
That kingdoms are venal, when subjects can bin.
Lovely Peggy, the first in succession and name.
Was early invested with honour supreme.
But a bold son of Mars grew fond of her form
Swore himself into grace and surpris'd her by storm. O l.ove.'^i*
Maria succeeded in honour and place
By laughing and squeezing and song and grimace.
But her favours alasl like her carriage, were free,
Bestowd on the whole male creation but me.
Next Margret the second attempted the chace,
Tho' the small Pox and age had enamell'd her face.
She sustaincl her pretence, sans merite and' sans love.
And carried her point by a Je ^e fai fal quoi. O I.ove,(<ic.
The heart which so tameh' acknowledged her swa^■
Still suffer'd in silence, and kept her at bay.
Till old Time at last so much meliow'd her charms.
That she dropt with a bree/.e in a Liver3'-man6 arms.
The most easy conquest Belinda was thine
Obtaind hy the musical tinkle of coin
But she more enamour'd of sport than of prey.
Had a fish in her hook which she wanted to plajk . O L<jve,^c.
Ifigh hopes were her baits; but if truth wei:e confcBN'd,
A good still in prospect is not good possessc);
For the fool found too late he had taken a tartar
Retreated with wounds and begg'd stoutly for qu-irur.
Uranea came next, and with subtile address,
DiscQverd no open attempts to possess;
But when fairly admitted, of conquest secure.
She acknowledg*d no law, but her will and her pov^er. O f.ove,<^c.
For seven tedious years to get rid of her chain,
All force provd abortive all stratagem vain,
Till a _j-outh with much fatness and gravity bless 'd.
Her person detained by a lawful arrest.
To a reign so despotic tho* guiltless of blood.
No wonder a long interregnum ensud, ^ .
For an ass tho' the patientest brute ofthfe plain.
Once saded and guild, will beware of the rein. 0'Love,fcc.
O Nancy* dear Nancy, tny fate l deplore,
No magic thy beauty and \outh can restore.
By thee had this cordial dominion been swayd.
Thou hadst then been a queen, but art now an old maid.
Now the kingdom stands doubtful it -self to surrender,
ToChloe the sprightly or Celia the slender.
But if once it were out of this pitiful case.
No law, but the Salic henceforth shall take place.
O Love, iVr.
484
Wilt thon be mv Denrie.
•Wit itten for this Work by Robert Burns.
m-^ N . . • .■ I 7-r-fr
E
* • s
i
^
^
^yQ < ^ Wilt -thou be my Dear- le. When sorrow
S
i
Ver"'. Slow
TT ^' '' ■» ' -#
^ wrings fhy gentle heart, O wilt thou let me chear thee
i
1
^^
< Bv the treaisure of mv soul, Thats the loveT bear th<
^^
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^^
^
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swear and vow, that only thou shall ev_er be my dearie.
£
f
f^^^^^^- ^ ^\}.J^} J J ill-
■<^ Otiiy thou I swear and vow. Shall ever be my Dearie.
:iiE
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Lassie, Buy thou lo'es me;
Or if thou wilt na be my ain.
Say na thou'lt refuse me:
If it winna, canna be^
Thou for thine may chuse me.
Let me. Lassie, quickly die.
Trusting that thou lo'es me
Lassie, let me quickly die.
Trusting that thou lo'es me.
Lovclv Polly Stewart.
Til IK , Vert v\<.lconie C'harlit Sttvsatt .
-^ k : . --■- —
ytyy-t J*^ O Lovely Folly Stewart, O charming Polly i5tev%:irt'{"Ku<'s
^
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^=^
■=i^
tfiou art. The flower it blaus, it fades, it fa's. And
T f P T-
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fli ■ W'
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_ ternal youth will gie to Polly Stewart
f=
Mav he, whase arms shall faiiM thv rhanu s.
Possess a leal and true h«art-
To him be given, to ken the Ht--.ven,
He grasps in Poll\- Stewart!
O loxclv.^c.
Written for thi« Work bv Kobtrt KuriiH.
'lH{^
Th<' Hiqhl.infl balon,
^^p;:^jr:=jt ju ;.jJ:,iXLi..-fe
■/lyO "Y * ^'^^' balo.u,in\' fweet wee Donald, Picture o' the great Clun,
M'X-'
JSiow
w
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ronald; Brawiic kc ii« our wanton Chief Wha got tny joung Highland thief.
r-j- rj- r — ^-f
i
I.et-/ me on thy honie rraigie. Thro the LawIands,oer the Border,
\a(l thou I)ve,thou'ii fteal a naigie. Weel, my babie, may thou furder:
Travel {he countrj.- tliro and thro, Herry the louns o the laigh Countries
And bring hame a Carlifie cow. S^r-ne to the Highlands hame to me. ':
+ + + + + + + + -{- + + + ++ I
7-t±i^--f±:rrfaf
Aald kin£^ Coiil
?
p .. fsrmsz
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fes
47S -^\^ Our arjld king Coul was a jol_ly aiild foul. And
•-*
W
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SE
m
hfct Our auld king- Coul filid a loJIv bro*
^
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Jolly auld foul was h^i Our auld king Coul filid a jolly brown
^^^^^^^
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boAljAnd be ca'd for his fid lers three*.
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'*■ Fidell-didell, fidelUdidell, quo' the fid _d lers three; There's
This muft be repeated to the additional lines
Contiuued.
487
Our auld king Coul waa a jolly ^uld foul.
And a jolly auld foul was he;
Our auld king Coul fiU'd a jolly brown bowl,
And he ca'd for his pipers three:
Ha didell, ho didcll, quo* the pipers;
Fidell, didell, f Jdell, didell, quo* the fiddlers three;
There s no a lafs in a' Scotland
Like our fweet Marjorie,
Our auld king Coul was a jolly auld foul.
And a joll^- auld foul was he;
Our auld king Coul filTd a jolly brown bowl
And he ca'd for his harpers three:
Twingle-twangle, twingle-twangle,quD the harpers;
Ha-didcll,ho didell, quo* the pipers;
Fidell didell, fideli-dideil, quo* the fiddlers three;
There's no a lafs in a' Scotland
Like our fweet Marjorie.
Our auld king Coul was a jolly auld foul.
And a jolJy auld foul was he;
Our auld king Coul filTd a jolly brown bowl
And he ca*d for his trumpeters three:
Twara-rang, twara-rang, quo' the trumpeters;
Twingle twangle, twingle-twangle, quo the harptrs;
Ha didel, ho didell, quo' the pipers;
Fidell-didell, fidell- didell, quo the fiddlers three;
There 8 no a lafs in a Scotland
Like our fweet Marjorie.
Our auld king Coul was a jolly auld foul.
And a jolK- auld foul was he;
Our auld king Coul filTd a jolly brown bowl.
And he cad for his drummers three:
Rub a dub, rub* -dub, quo* the dnimmers;
Twara-rang, twara-rang, quo' the trumpeters;
Twingle-. twangle, twingle -twangle, quo* the harpers;
Ha -didell, ho -didell,. quo* the pipers;
Fidell-didell, fidell-didell, quo' the fiddlers three:
There 8 no a lafs in a Scotland
Like our fweet Marjorie.
1H8
The KiiKiwav iiiidr.
aniXfflarj::l3±^--LUi_j-
Laddie and a l-jissic Dv^eIt in the South coun-
Slic had iiae r>iri a uiiJe or twa,
V\h:(i> she began to consider,
'l'l;e ant^f riii^'of her father dear,
'l\ (. displeasing o* her inithcr;
The j.li,!;hling of the «illy bruJtgrooiii
'I he Mpei warst o' the three;
Then hey play up the riuawa' bride,
For she haH taen the gee.
Hir father and h« r iiiither
Han after her v\i' speed.
And av they ran until the_\' came
Lnto the water of Tweed;
And when they caiue to Kelso town,
■ . Thcv gart the clap gae thro'
Then he\, &c.
Saw ^ e a lass wi' a hood and a mantle
The face o't lincl up wi* blue;
The face ot Ini'd I'p wi' blue,
And the tail lin'd up wi' green,
.Saw v'e a lass wi' a hood and a mantle.
Was married on lyseday teen.
'I'hen hfA, &c.
N\m wally fu fa' the silly bridegroom.
He was as saft as butter;
For had she play'd the like to me,
I had nae sae easily quit her;
I'd gi'cn her a tune o' my hobo^',
And set my fancy free,
And syne play'd up the rinaway bride.
And lutten her tak the gee.
Baunocks o' bear meal.
489
4 J ■ J I "^ I J "g~ ^ I J— -^^g~a^jf|'-^^
4*7^ "S T(t Ban-nocks o' bear meal Ban- nocks o' bar_l
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Heres to the High- land- man's bannocks o' bar- ley,
ur-u g^
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Wha, m a brul_ zie, will firft cry a par ley?
jJL q-v
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^pif /^^i J ^"^Tfrfi
Ne _ ver the lads vm' the ban nocks o* bar- -ley
4
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Chorus.
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Bai>nO(:;k8 o bear meal Bannocks o' barley Here's to the
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l-J .Hi J n J^i r"r r s=t
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High - land _ man's ban _ nocks o bar - If^y
^
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"a
Wha in his wae da_)S, were loyal to Charlie?
Wha but the lads wi' the bannocks o barlej .
Cho. Bannocks o, fee.
+ + + +^- + + -^•^-f•f + ■f•f-♦-+•-l-♦--♦-^-
490
476
Wac IS mv he<Trt.
-^ z^
Ver^- Slow
j:^j-4:.,^^5#4^^.^tf^^^
Lang, lang Joys been a ftranger to me; Forfakeh fa friendlefs mj'
burden \ bear. And the fweet. voice o pity ne'er founds in my ear.
I-ove,thou haft pleafures, and deep hae 1 loved;
Love thou haft forrows, and fair hae I proved:
But this bruifed heart that now bleeds in my breaft,
1 can feel bj- its throbbings will foon be at reft.
O, if I were, where happy I hae been;
Down b;y- yon ftream and yon bonie-caftle-green;
For there he is wandring, and mufing em me,
Wha wad foon dry the tear frae his Phillis's ee.
THere was a filly Shepherd Swaiu.
477 S* "^ There was a filly Ihepherd fwain, Kept Oteep upon a hill. He
^
K^
j J J l^^^
• aid his pipe and crook afide, And there he flept his fill. He
Coiitinaec*.
491
^^
t-^^
laid Jbis pipe and crook afide. And there he flept his fill.
J J- J
d;E=^_XiJ^
He looked eaft, he lebked weft.
Then gave an under-look.
And there he fjaied a lady fair.
Swimming in a brook.
And there,&c.
He raisd his head frae his green bed,
And then approachd the maid,
Put on yourclaiths, m^- dear, he fays,
And be ye not afraid.
Put on,&c.
Tib fitter for a ladv fair.
To few her filken feam.
Than to get up in a Ma^' morning.
And ftrive aeainft the ftream.
Than to gtt,/tc.
Ifyoull not touch inv mantle.
And let my claiths alane;
Then I'll give you as much mone^,*
As you can carry hame.
Then ril,X£c.
Ol I'll not touch ) our mantle. Oh! I'll caft aff my hofe and fhoon,
And I'll let jour claiths alane; And let my feet gae bait-
But I'll tak you out of the clear water, And gin 1 meet a bonr.\ lai«.
My dear, to be my- ain. Hang me, it her I fp;uo.
But I'll tak,Xic. And gin K&c.
Hemounted her on a milk-wJntp flpcd.
Himfelf upon anither;
And all along the way they rode.
Like fiftnr and like brither.
And all aIong,fec.
When fhe came (o her fathers yafe.
She tirlfcd at the pin;
And ready ftood the porter there,
To let this fair maid in.
And read/, fee.
And *\hen the gate was opened.
So nimbly's fhe whipt in;
Poughljou're a fool without, fhe fays,
And I'm a maid within.
Pough. j-oure,fec.
Then fare ye well, my modeft boy,
I thank 3 ou for yont care;
But had you done what you fhould do,
I neer had left yo\x there.
But had you,&c.
And when fhe out of the water came.
He took her in his arms;
Put on your claiths, m\ dear, he faye^
And hide thofe Iovel\^ charms.
Put on your, fee.
In that do as ynu pleale, fhe f'^ys,
But _> ou Ihall never more
Have the fame opportunity;
With that fhe fliut the door.
Have thf ,fec.
There is a gude auld prov^erb,
I've often heard it told,
He that would not when he might.
He fhould not when he would.
He that, fee.
492
Kind Robin luoes me.
Thfc^- fpeak of napkins, fpeak of rings.
Speak of gloves and kifsing ftrings.
And name a thoufand bonnj- things.
And ca' them figns he Ices me.
But Icl prefer a frnack of Rob,
Sporting on the velvet fog.
To gifts as lang's a plaiden wabb,
Becaufe 1 ken he iooes me.
But little kens (he what has been.
Me and my honeft Rob between.
And in his wooing, O fo keen.
Kind Hobin is that Iooes me.
Then fly ye laiy hours away.
And haften on the happy day C"^*>'«
When join'd our hands Mefs John fhall-
And mak him mine that Iooes me.
Hes tali and foni^-, frank and free,
Lood by a' and dear to me,
Wi*hiro l<i live, wi' him I'd die,
Btcaufe my Robin Iooes me.
M> titty Mary faid to me.
Our courtfhip but a joke wad be.
And I, or lang, be made to fee.
That Robin did na looe me.
Ti U then let every chance unite.
To weigh our love and fix delight.
And ru look down on fuch wi'fpite,
Wha doubt that Robin Iooes me.
O hey Robin quo* fhe,
O hey Robin quo' fhe,.
O hey Robin quo* fhe.
Kind Robin Iooes me. "
We'll pat the fheep head in the Pat
493
uJ'. ^ ]—h~k
479
P
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*^* We'll put the fteep head in the Pat, Horns an'
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*^ a' the gither. And that will mak dainty fine broth fe we'll
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a' fup the gither. Well a' ,,fup the gither* We'll
t
^
The woo will lyith the kail.
The Horna will ferve for bread,
B^'that ye will fee the vertu
Of a gude fheep head.
We'll a' fup &c.
Some will lie at the head.
Some will lie at the feet,
John Cuddie will lie in the inidft.
For, he woud hae a the heat.
We'll a' lie <tc.
4 94
,Hert;*a his health in water.
^^^ifr f;M f J'^^J
4B0'> * AltW my back be at the wa. And though he be the
sa^
a
LiveJy
?
for his fake lui flighted fair, And dree the kintra: clat_terf/ But
^
=3»=
JUJL.: Jl J-r i:-WtlH
though niy. back be at the wa. Yet heres his health in water.
The uiaid gartl to the Mill.
4ftl "V* ^^* maid's gane to the mill by night; Hech hey, fa«
Continned^-
49 5
hey fae wan _ ton fhe. She's fworn hy moon and
P r r =^
ftars fae bright, That fhe wsid^ hasher corn ground. That Oie wad
Out then came the miller 8 man,
Hech hej-, fae wanton;
Out then came the millers man,
Hech he^, fae wantpn he;
He fware he'd do the beft he can,
For to get her corn ground
For to get her co' u prouod
Mill and multurt fret.
He put his hand about her neck,
Hech he\, fae wanton;
He put his hand about her neck,
Hech he>-, fae wanton he;
He dang her down upon a fack.
And there fhe got her cprn ground.
And there fhe got her corn ground.
Mill and multure free.
When other maids gaed out to play,
Hech he;)', fae wanton;
When other uiaidfi gaed out to plJi)'-
Hech hev, fae wantonlie;
She fjgh'd and fobb'd, and wadnae fla>-,
Becaufe fhed got her corn ground,
Becaufe fhed got her corn ground.
Mill and multure free.
When forty weeks v^tre paft ardgarc.
Hech he^-, fae wanton;
Wlien forty weeks wen' paft andgaiie,
Hech hey, fae wantonlie;
This maiden had a braw lad bairn,
Becaufe fhe'd got 'htr corn ground,
Becaufe fhe'd got her corn guound.
Mill and multure free.
Her mither bade her caft it out,
Hech hey, fae wanton;
Her mither bade her caft it out,
Hech hey, fae wantonlie; ■
It was the millers dufty cloiit.
For getting of her corn ground.
For getting oif her corn ground.
Mill and multure free.
Her father bade her keep it in,
Hech hey, fae wanton;
Her father bade her keep it in,
Hech hey, fae wantonlie;
It was th« chief of a her 'kin,
Becault llit'd got her corn groun.J
Becaufe ft-e'd got her corn ground
Mill and multure free.
496
Sir Patrick Spence.
m
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^
4PQ -^ * The King fits in Dumferuiline toune. Drinks
hi^.ri f r ir -f' i
TT — yr-' — •^"^ —
*^ _ ing the blude - rid wine O quhar wull I get a
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P
aid fai _ lor to fa^ this fchip of paine .
J r I J--^! ''■! I j I j."'^
tJp and fpak an eldern knicht, Late late yeftreen I faw the new mooneJ
Sat at the king's richt kne: Wi' the auld iroone in her arme;
Sir Pjftrick .J^pcncc is the beft failor. And I feir, I feir, my deir tnafter.
That fails upon the fea. That we wull cum to harme.
Tbe King has written a braid letter, O our Scots nobles wer richt laith
And fignd ft wi'his hand; To weet their cork-hei Id fhoone;
And fcnt it to Sir Patrick Spence, Bot lang or a the play were playd.
Was walking on the land. They wat thair heads aboone.
The firft line that Sir Patrick red, O lang, lang, msy thair ladies fit
A loud lauch lauched he: Wi' thair fans into their hand,
Tlie next Ijne that Sir Patrick red, Or eir they fe Sir Ritrick Spence
The teir blinded hiB ee. Cum failing to the land,
O quha is this has don this deid, O lang, lang, mxj- thair ladies ftamd
This ill deid don to me; Wi' thair gold keins in their hair.
To fend me out this time o' the zeir^ Waiting for thair ain deir lordee.
To fail upon the fea? For they'll fe th&me na mair.
Mak hftfte, mak haOe. iry mirrj'men all, Haff owre, haff owre to Aberdour,
Our guid fchip r;?ils the mome„ (ts fjft«e fadom deip:
O fay na fae, my wiLfttr dtir, And thair lies guid Sir Patrick Spence,
For I feir a dead'te ftoripe. Wi' the Scots loidesathis feit.
The Wren, or Lennox's. love to Blantyre
497
M^i. .N-it~p'^~^^
meikle dule and pjTie-.Ol Quhen in came Ro bin
4
P
Now, maiden, will ye tafte o\ this,
Tafte o this, tafte o this ;
Now, maiden, will ye tafte o' this?
It 8 fuccar--(ap« and w^ he_0.
Na, neer a drap, Robm,
Robin, Robin;
Na, neer a drap, Robin,
Gin it was ne'er fo fine^O.
+ + + + + + -t.+ ^ Hft +
And'quhere's the ring that fgied^c.
That I gied /e, that I gied /ej
And quheres the ring that Igied/e,
Ze iittJe cutty quean _0.
I gied it till a foger,
A foger, a foger,
I gied it till a foger,
A jtynd. fweet-ikeait o' m^ ne_0'.
*98
Gnde Wallace.
Wkllace Out over yon river he lap.
And he has lighted low dowri on yon plain.
And he wfts awar* of a g&y ladie,
Ag fhe was at th© well waChing.
What tydins, what tjd ins, fair lad>',he fays,
VVhat tydins haft thou to tell unto me
What tydins, what tydins, fair lady, he fays.
What tydins lia« ;5ie in the fouth Countrie.
Low down in yon wee Oftler houfc.
There iBN^teen Engljfhnien,
And they ar« feekin for gude Walltce,
Its him to tak* and him to hang.
There s nocht in my purfe, quo gude Wallace,
Ther«» nochtf not even a bare pennie.
But C will down to ynn wee Oftler houfe
T|:ir fjyfteen Engliftmento fee.
Continned.
And when he cam to _>on wee Oftler houfe,
He bad bendicite be there;
+ + -»-+ + -»- + + + + +
+ + -»-+ ^- + ^'-i--f^-
Where was ye born,auld crookit Tarl,
Where was ye born in what counfrie,
I am a true Scot born and bred,
And an auld crookit carl Juft Tic as ye fee.
I wad gie fifteen fhillingsto onie crookit carl.
To onie crookit carl Juft fie as ^ e,
II ^e will get me gude Wallace, '
For he is the man I wad vcta' fain fee.
.He hit the proud Captam alatig the chaff t blade,
That never a bit o meal he ate mair;
And he fticket the reft at the t^ble where the\ fat,
And he left them a I) in fprawlin there.
Get up, get up, gudewife, he fa>8.
And get to me fome dinner in hafte;
For it will foon be three lang da\ s
Sin I a bit o' meat did tafte.
The dinner was na weel readi^,
Nor was it on the table fel.
Till other fyfieen Englifhmen
Were a' lighted about the yett.
Come out, come out, now gude Wallace
This is the day that thou maun die;
I lippen nae fae little to God, he fa>-s,
Altho I be but ill wordie.
The gudewife had an auld gudeman.
By gude Wallace he ftiffly ftood.
Till ten o the fj-fteen, Englifhmen,
Before the door lay in their bludfe.
The other five to the greenwood ran,
And he hangol thefe five upon a> grain.
And on the morti wi' his mevry men a
He fat at dine «n Lochmaben Sown.
49y
500
Tbe auld man s mare s dead .
486
Hf The auld mane mares dead, The poor mans mares dead^The
^'g^T
Slowifh
^^
^^
hfer Iwn/ie^banes were knaggs & neuks, But fient a drap gae me.
She had the cleek8,-the cauld,the crooks. The auld mans &c .
The Jawpifhand the wanton yeuks.
And the howks aboon her ee
The auld mans ^c.
My M after rade me to the town.
He ty'd me to a ftainoher rouh<i;
He took a chappih till himfel^
The auld mans mares dead.
The poor man's mares dead.
The peats and tours and a' to lead
And yet the Jad did die.
Ine Winter ol hte.
Written for this Work b\ Robert Burns. 3
m
#-• ^
^^=^
:t±
^
486 "*( ■* ^"* late-ly feen in gladfotre green The v,oods ve_
i
U^'^-SJ-^
Very Slow
f f-^
n-^ - ;l''^j^ J • i'iU'=^
:sc:
_ JO iced the daj-. Thro gentle fhowers the laugh- ing
^
^m
±:
±=:te^B=^
^
PF3=B=^
^ 4-
fIo\^er» In dou _ ble pride were ga> : But noiv our
^^^
^
[> Z^- til r MM g
m
a
Joy* are fled _- On win _ ter blaft* A wai
Yet
UJ J.Jl J.J-Mfilj:
i^
£
* • • \ ' — ; •-' —^ tf — ■— 1
maiden M:i), in rich arraj, A gain fhall bring them a'.
i
^
^
But in} white pow-nae kindl}- thowe
Shall melt the fnaws of Agt ;
M;, trunk of ei'd, but bufs or beild,
Sinks in Tiaies wintry rage.
Oh, Age has weary 6u}s',
And nights o fleeplefs painl
ThoTi golden tfvre o Youthfu' prime,
VNhy comes thou not againl
50'4
ijood morrow fair mistress.
Fye on ye, ill woman, the bringer o' shame.
The abuser o love, the disgrace o' my name;
The betrayer o' him that so trusted in thee:
But this is the last time my face ye sail sec.
To the ground shall be ra/ed these halls and these bowers,
Defil'd by your lusts and your wanton amours:
i'll find out a ladj^ of higher degree;
And this is the last time my face ye sail gee.
The Haws of Cromdale.
48B'^ * ^*i: '' ^^ni^ *" V Achindown,A little we^ bit frae th«
^rs
S/owish
^t:
r t II r. f
Contjnned.
601
M-J J. J^-ti- J. il J. i^j^i
Etfvss o'Cro;n.JaIe.
town, When to the highlands I w%s bown,To view the
^i
r-n- r r F
ij,,^ J. ^ i'. rm
I met a man in tartan trews, I speerd at him what was the news,Quo
^^^r ^ ! n f J f
he. The highland arnry- rues, That e'er we came to Cromdale,
^P^
>•):# r
u -o- u-
ia&*
We were in bed, sir, every man. The Grants, Macken7ie8,and M'k)S,
When the English host upon us came; Soon as Montrose theV did espj,,
A bloody battle then began, O then they fought most vehement I3,
Cpon the haws of Cromdale. Upon the havisbf Cromdale.
The English horse they were so rude,
The;^- bath'd their hoofs in highland blood,The M? Donalds they returnd ag:.nri,
But our brave clans they bold ly stood , The Camerons did their standard joi u ,
Upon the haws of Cromdale.
But alas we could no longer stay,
For o er the hills we came away.
And sore v*e do lament thev»day
That eer we came to Crbmdale.
Thus the great Montrose did say.
Can you direct the nearest way.
For I will o'er the hills this day.
And view the haw* of Cromdale.
Ala», my lord, you're not so strong.
You scarcely have two thousand men.
M? Intosh pia>'cl a bonny game.
Upon the haw^ of Cromdale.
The McGregors faught like ht)nsb()l't,
M? Phersons, none could them cont ro\ 1 f ,
M? Lauchlmg faught like loj-al souls,
Upon the haws of Cromdale.
(M?Lean»,M? Dougals,and M*: N( a Is ,
So boldly as they took the field.
And made their enemies to3i(Id,
Upon the haws of Cromdale.^
The Gordons boldly did ad/anrc,
ThtFra7iers(foufrht with sword k. laiu e.
And there's twenty thousand on the plain, TheCJnihains they madt thcirhcuds to
Stand rank and file on Cromdale.
"Thus the great Montrose did saj ,
I aay, direct the nearest way.
For I will o'er the hills this day.
And see the haws of Cromdale.
The\- were at dinner, every man,
Upon the haws of Cromdale. (-dance.
The iojal Stewarts, w^th Montrose, '
So boldly set upon their foes.
And brought them down with highland -
Upon the haws of Cromdale. |^blow.»^
Of twenty thousand Crf>niwel{s »ftfcn,
When great Montrose upon ihem came. Five hundred went to Aberdeen,
A second battle then bt^an. The rest of them hts on the pl,.in.
Upon the haws of Crcmdale. Upon the haws ol Cromil«|e.
604
No Dominies for iiie. liddie.
489
H't r ' ^
I chancd to mtet an airy bJade A
A Fang cravat at him did wag. At the next offer hold him faft.
And buckles at his knee, laddie; That firft makes love to thee.laffie.
Sa) 8 he. My heart, hy Cupid 8 dart,
' is captivate to thee, laffxe. Then I returning hame again.
And coming down the town, laddie,
I'll rather chufe to thole -grim death; By my good luck I chanc'd to meet
So ceafe and let me be, laddie; A gentleman dragoon, laddie;
For what? fays he; Good troth, faid I,
No dominies for me, laddie. And he took me hy baith the hands,
,, . , Twas help in time of need, laddie.
Mmifters ftipends are uncertain rents Fools on ceremonies ftand.
For ladies conjunct-fee, iaddie; At twa words we agreed, laddie.
When books & gowns are a' cried down.
No dominies for me, iaddie. He led me to his quarter-iioufe,
VVhere we exchange! a word, laddie:
Biit for 3 our fake Til fleece the flock. We had nae ufe for black gowns there
Grow ricli as 1 grow auld,laffie; "" ■ . -
If fbe fpar'd I'll be a laird.
And thou's be Madam call'djlaffie.
We married o'er the fword, laddie.
Martial drums is mufic fine,
Compar'd wi' tinkling beJJs, laddie,'
Gold, red and blue, is more divine
Than black, the hue of hell, Iaddie.
Hi if what if _>e ihor.'d chance to die,^
leave bairns, ane or twa, laddie.*"
Nfatbmg wad be referv'd for them
But hair moui'd books to gnaw,laddi€.King.s,queen8,andpi'inces,crave the aid
Of my brave ftout drag'ion, laddie;
At this he an^r\ was, I wat
He gloom'dfc4<jokci fu'hii^'h.laddre
When Jperceved this in ha/te
I left my dominie, faddie.
Fare ye well, my charming maid,
'I his Ir ffon learn of me, lafTife,
While dominies are much employ d,,
'Bout whor^t; and fack loth gowns, laddi
Awa>- wi a ihefe whining looas;
They look like, Let me be, laddie:
I Ve more delight in roaring guns;
No dominies, for me, laddie.
The Tajlor.
606
/|QQ^*^5)t For wecl he kend the way O, The >va> O, the way O, For
ffig
Slowifh
^
^
^^
^ ^ ' Jgr
ii
^B^
^ weel he ken
■*— s-
^^
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nd the way O, The lafs-ie's heart to win Oi The
^
m
m m
ac
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^
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v^ V ^-
Ta\lor he cam here to few. And weel he kend the wa\- to woo. For
J ^ ' F
ChoruB
Jli. J ^ J|J.f„Jg^^^
For weel he kend the w^a\' O, The wa^ O, the wa^- O, For weei he
:^:.-:r.fr.
m
=p
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p=i=
£
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p
kend the way O, The lafs-ies heart to nin O
^
^^
The Taylor rafe and Jbeuk his duds.
The flaes they flew av^a in ctnds.
And them that fta\-*d g»t fearfn.' thuds.
The Taylor provd a man O.
Cho. For now it was the gioamin.
The gIoaniin,thc gloamin,
K)r now it was the gloaiom.
When a* to reft are geiia O.
+ -f + 4 -l- + + 4.4--V^-^- + 4-4--f
^06
There was a wee bit WiffikiV.
491 -\ '^^-*'^« *^* * ^^^ ^'^ wiffikik And fhe held to the Jair? She
£13=^
^
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=»=y
Slowifh
9=9
^j^ffif'^l J. i Jj.jllCl!^^
got a litt/e drappikie, that coft her mcikle care: It gaed about the
^^
C^horus
u"jiJ^'-^-^r;i'. rJiJ^--^ J
, ilh I be iici f u . 1 vsifh 1 be na fu quo fhe, 1 wifh I be na
ggJ»^Hg^^| J J —J i
iff-n-^'^--^^-^
g r'l; ^-pT-fif-J- Jj. jrn
iu' Ohl quo' the v\ee bit wiffikie I wjfh I be n;i fou',
J. J J
1^
rf Johnnie find me BarreUfick, I m fure he'll claw inv fkin;
Biit I'll lyc down and tak a Nap before that I gae in
Sitting at the Dj'kej,fide, and taking at her Nap,
Bj>- « ame a mierchant wi' a little Pack
Wr a little pack, quo' fhe, wi' a little pack,
Br came a merchant wi' a little pack.
Hos clippit a h^r Gawden locks fae bonnie and fae lang;
He's ta en fcer piirfe&aber placks, and faft away did gang.
And when the wiffic waken'd her head was like a" bee
Ohl quoth the v\ce wiffekie this is nae me.
This is nae ine, quoth fhe, this i#( nae me,
Somebody has been felling me, and this is nae me.
Lontintiedo '
I met with kindly company, and btrl'd my Babee;
And ftill,if this be Befsikie, three placks remain with me
^ut I will look the Purfie nooks, fee gin the Cun/ie be _
There's neither Purfe nor Plack about me, _ this is nae ire
This is nae me, quoth (he, this is nae me
Some-body has been felling me, and this is nae me.
But I have a little houftkie, but and a kindly man;
A Dog, they call him Doulsekie, if this be me he'll faun.
And Johnnie, he'll come to the door and kindiv weljcoiue gie.
And a' the Bairns on the floor will dance if this be .^e.
This is nae me, quoth fhe, this is nae me
Some 'body has been felling me and this is nae me.
The night was late and dang Out weet, and oh but it was dark.
The Doijgie heard a bodie*s foot, and he began to bnrk.
Oh when fte heard the Doggie bark and kenning it was he.
Oh well ken ye Douftie, quoth file, this is nae me.
This is nae me, quoth (he, thi« is nae me.
Some -body has been felling me and this is nae me.
When Johnnie heard his Befsies word, faft to the door he tan
Is that you Befsikie. Wow via Man
Be kind to the RairnSi and well mat ye be. _^
And farewell Johnnie, fji'och fhc, this is nae me,
Thi« is nae me, quoth ihe, this is nae me
Some-body has been felling me, and this is nae me,
John ran to the Minifter, his hair ftood a' on end,
I've gotten fuch a fright Sir, I'll ne'er be well again
My wife's come hame without a fet^d, crjing out moft piteoufly,
Oh^ Farewell Johnnie quoth fhe, this is nae me.
This is nae met quoth fhe, this Is nae me
Some -body has been felling me, and this is nae me.
The tale yo'f. till. The Parfbn faid,is wonderful to me.
How that a wife without a head could fpeak.or hear, or fee!
But things that tappen hereabout fo ftrangely alterd be
That 1 could almoft wixtx Befsie fa^y that this is nae me,
This is nae me quoth £he, this is nae me
Wow na. Johnnie faid, 'tis neither you nor me.
Now Johnnie he came hame again, and ohi but he was fain
To fee his Little Befsikie come to herfelf again
He got her fitting on a ftool with Tibbek on her knee
Oh come awa Johnnie, quoth fhe, come awa to nie
For I've got a-Nap ^ith Tibbekie and this is now me
This is now me, quoth '{lie, t|^i« is now me. ___
I ve got a Nap with Tibbekic and this is now me.
508
Tfcere grows a bonie brier bafh 8Cc.
bu-l^- bu-fy cour . ting in our kail ^-ard
We'll court nae mair below the bufs in our kail yard.
We'll court nae luaj- below the bufs in our kail jt'd.
We'll awa to Atho!e*8 green, and there we'xl no be fee».r
Whare the trees an^^ the branches will be our fafe guare.
Will ye go to the dancin in Carl> le s ha,
^11 ye go to the dancin in Carlj le'« ha';
Whare Sand> and Nancy I'm fure will ding them •'?
I wtnna gang to the dance in Carlyle-ha.
What will I do for a lad, when Sandy gangs awa?
What will t do for a lad, when Sandy gangs awa?
1 will awa to Edinburgh and win a pennie fee.
And fee an onie bonis lad 'Hill fancy me.
He's comfn frae the North thats to fancy me,
He's com in frae the North that* to fancy me,
A feather in his bonnet and a ribbon at his knee.
He's a bonie, bonie laddie and ^ttn be he.
Could aue;ht of Sonjn;.
Written for this W\)rk by Robert Burns.
'509
493'^ "^ ^^'"^'^ ^^S^^ ^^ fong declare ray pains. Could artful
4
Then let the fudden burfting Hgh
The heart-felt pan^ difcover;
And in the keen,3et tender e)«,
O read th imploring lover.
For well I know thy gentle mind
Difdains art n ga\' difguifing;
Be_jond what Fancy ee-r refind
The voice of Nat\iie pri/int:.
B
c5IO
494
Ol dear what can the .matter be.
A,Hrr\^ J r -^J iiJ. iJ' i J
Oldear what can the matter be O. whftt can the
^P
ITT-
,.jr, i.
^
,^^-M^ . I J J r J J M > r J' J J'ii
^
** it J. J,
ter,be Johnnj*B
matter be clearl what can the matter
$
fae iang at .the
^m
M.::> .
SErac
Jr; / i J;ii^
3^F^
P
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*^ fair. ■ He prom'sd he'd buj- me a fairing fiiould pleafe me and
' 'I f '
v'l.r'^'B^i r'
m
JjjiJ' J J' J jjiJ ; J'
then»for a kiCs Oi he vowc^^he would tea/e ni« h« promised heVi
ths. J. J.; I J. J. I r=
/^^^^^— a^^
f; J J jij;i'hf^^
¥=«
*-' bring me • bunch of blue ribbons to tie up my bonny brown hair
J- l'|-'ll
"^"i^ f I f ^
Oi dear .what can the matter be
Dear! dear! what can the matter be
Oi dear what can the matter be
' Johnny* fae Iang at the fair.
He promis d to buy me a pair of fleeve buttons
A pair of new garters that coft him but two pence
He promisd he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbons
To t)^ up my bonny brown hair,
ol dear what can the matter be
Dear! dear! what can the matter be
Ol dear what can the matter be
Johnnys .fae Iang at the fair.
He promise! he*d bring me a baOcet of poHes
A garland of lilies a garland of rofes
A little ftraw hat to fet off the blue ribbons
To tj"© up my bonn^' brown hair.
Il
611
Here s to thy health my bonie lafis.
Written {oJ this Work by Rob! Burns. Tune.toggan burn
B
i
if=^=f^
-C—t
:t
?
with«.out thee: I
E
t=fc
pretty- pink. But I can live with«.out thee: I Vo*^ and
P
^^
*^ fwear, I dinna care. How lang ^e look a»'bout ye.
ste^
J C'lti'
Thou rt ay fae free informing
Thou haft nae tnind to marry.
I'll be as .free informing thee,
Nae time hae I to tarry.
1 ken thy friends try ilka means
Frae wedlock to delay thee;
Depending on fome higher chance,
But fortune may- betray thee.
I ken thej- fcorn my low eftate,
But that does never grieve me;
For I m as free as any he,
Sma filler will reiieve me.
(tb,
i'll fcount my health ny- greateft weal-
Sae lang as I'll enjoy it:
ni fear nae fcant, I'll bode nae want,
As langs I get employ Tnent.
But far off fowls hae feathers fair.
And a\' until ye try them:.
Tho' they feem fair, ftill have a care,
The^ ma\- prove aa bad as I am.
But at twel at night,when the moonfiiiney
Mv dear,ril come&(ee thte;(^bnght.
For the man that loves his miftrefeweel,
Nae travel makes him wear>'. _,
■^ B
Sl'i
Jenoys Bawbie.
aTj ^» »L_.^ ' - I L_J li*-. I U-J
^Or^ -^ * ^"*^ *' *^** ^'^'" '^■^ Jenny had. My jenny had, my
I J J I'
l-ively
ii=^=F
^\h ;■ ^ij-j^r
nv tad And
/ y k
Jenny Ead And a that eer my Jenny had was ae baw.bie.
M
^
^
/3|J^ ;■ J'lJ] J J^lj^ J. i\m
Iheres 3our plack, and my plack. And your plack and in^
P-' I r ! m
i
^
^
J i'l'Q ^ J'lO ^ p J j^^
plack. And my plack and your plack. And Jennys baw_ bie.
^
^m
^
Chorus
And a that eer my Jenny hac^, My Jenny had,ni3- Jenn\- had; And
ijijt ■ ■ n
^
i
i
:**
^^
^ I . — ■» » ■•■■ I ;-
K=P
a that eer iry Jcnn\- had, Was ae baw> ^ bi«.
m
^
We'll put it a in the pint-ftoup,
Ihe pint-ftoup, the pint-ftoup,
We'Jl put it in the pint-ftoup.
And birle't a' three.
And a' that e'ef, &c.
It was a fot our rightfa kin£^.
497
r—-r
ill L ^
^^
^^
==t3
left fair Scot_ lands ftrand; It was a for oir
iX j J f i^_i rif • r^s;^^
right _ fu king, We eer faw l_rifh land my dear, Hp
^ ^ Cr'r rcffl=Fg=^^^
^^fe^
er faw I _ _ rifh
land.
f— r J :-j:-i4^
^3
Now a' is done that men can do. The foger frae the wars returns,
And a' is done, in vain: The failor frt,e the main,
M\ Love and NTative Land fareweel. But i hae parted frae my Lovt;,
For 1 maun crofs the main, my dear. Never to meet again, iTj>fr d^-ar^
For I maun, fee. Never to meet,&c.
He turn'd him right and round about. When day is gane,and nig^ht is eonip,
Cpori the Irifh fhore. And a' folk bound to f\^e\i;
And gae his bridle reins a fhake, I think on him that s far awa.
With, adieu for evermore, my dear. The lee-lang night<*£ vvt>e(-yMyf5ear,
With, adieu, fee. The lee-lanfif, Aic.
<6i4
The Highland widows i;"»rnt.
k was aa- fae in the Higiiiand Jiills, I was the happieft of a tlie Clan,
Orhon,Ochon,Ochriei Sair, fair may I repine;
Nae Monian in the Country wide For Donald was the braweft man.
Sue hnytpy was as me. And Donald he was mitje.
For then I h;id a fcore o' kye,
Orhon, ^c.
Feeding on yon hill fae high,
And giving milk to me.
Till Charlie Stewart cam at laft,
Sae ^ar to fet us free;
My Donald's arm was wanted then |
For Scotland and for me.
And there 1 had three fcore o' > owes, Their waefu fate what need I <ell,
Ochon, fee. Rigtt to the wrang did yield;
Skij^^ping on ypn bonie knowes, My Donald and his Country fell.
And cafting woo to me. tJpon Culloden field.
Ochon, O. Donald, Ohl
Ochon, Ochon, Ochriel
Nae woman in the warld wide,
Sae wretched now as me.
6i6
Gloomy December.
Written for this Work bv Robert Burns,
i^P^
farewell for e__¥er. Anguifh un-mingl'd and a_go-ny pure
a
^^^
Wild as the winter now tearing the foreft.
Till the laft leaf o' the fuminer is flown.
Such is the teirpeft has fhaken my bofom.
Till my laff hope and laft comfort is gone:
Still as I hail, thee, thou gloomy December,
Still fhall 1 hail thee wi'forrow and care;
For fad was the parting thou makes me remember.
Parting wTNanc}-, Oh, ne'er to njeet mair.
6\e
Evan Banks. '1'r<rtir^ Ic:
Written for this Work b\ Robert Burns. /; ,^ ^]IjJ\
OOO ^ ^ Slo»v fpreads Xhf^ gloom my foul defires.The fun from
I?\dias fhore retires,' To E. van -banks, with temp' rate ray, Homt
»' ,-K
^
leads tile daj . Ohl banks to me for
t-f-^-^-^
And Die, in fimple beauty dreft. What fecret charm to mem'ry brings,
VVhcfe image lives within ray breaft; All that on Evan's border fprings.
Who trembling heard my parting figh. Sweet bankslye bloom b\- Marys fide
And long purfued me with her ej-ej Bleft ftreami fhe views thee hafte toCl)#
D(jcs Oie With -heart unchanged as mine,
Oft in the vocal bowers recline? Can all the wealth of India's coaft
Or v\here ^yon grot oerhangs the tide. Alone for years m abfence loft.''
Mufe while the Evan feeks the Clyde? Return, je moments of delight,
With richer treafures blefs my [i^{.\
Ye loffi' banks that Evan bound! Swift from this defart let me part.
Ye laviih woods that wave around. And fly to meet a kindred heart!
And o'er the ftream ^ our (hadows throw,Nor more may aught my fteps divide
Which fweeti_> winds fo far below; From that dear ftream which flows to Clyd'
End of Volume Fifth. b
ILLUSTRATIONS
LYRIC POETRY AND MUSIC
SCOTLAND.
PART V.
CCCCI.
THE LOVELY LASS OF INVERNESS.
This song, with the exception of the first half stanza,
which is old, was written by Burns on purpose for the Mu-
seum ; the air is the composition of Oswald. It was pub-
hshed in his Caledonian Pocket Companion, book i. page 9-
under the title of " The Lovely Lass of Inverness," with an
asterisk in the index, a mark which he annexed to such tunes
as were originally composed by himself.
Cromek observes, " That Burns's most successful imitation
of the old style seems to be in these verses, entitled " The
Lovely Lass of Inverness." He took up the idea from the
first half verse, which is all that remains of the old words,
and this prompted the feelings and tone of the time he wish-
ed to commemorate. That he passed some of these as the
popular currency of other years is well known, though only
discovered from the variations which his papers contain. He
scattered these samples, to be picked up by inquisitive criti-
cism, that he might listen to its remarks, and, perhaps, se-
cretly enjoy the admiration which they excited." — See Select
Scottish Songs, Ancient and Modern, edited hy R. H. Cromek^
vol. a. p. 129.
362
ccccli.
A RED, RED ROSE.
Tunc, " Major Graham's Strathspey."
This song, beginning " O, my luve's like a red, red rose,"
was written by Burns, and sent to Johnson for the Museum.
The original manuscript is now before me. Burns, in a note
annexed to the verses, says, " The tune of this song is in
Neil Gow's first Collection, and is there called Major
Graham. It is to be found on page 6 of that Collection.
Mr Clarke, after arranging the words of the song to the
tune of Major Graham, observes, in a note written upon the
music paper, that " once through the tune takes in all the
words, except the last four lines, so that more must be added,
or these left out." But this eminent musician might easily
have made the words suit the melody, without adding or
taking away one line, by either repeating both strains of the
tune, or by singing each strain only once over. This was
evidently the poefs intention ; but Mr Clarke has made the
second strain twice the length of the first, and this has occa-
sioned the seeming deficiency.
CCCCIII.
OUSet—Rmi, RED ROSE.
This song contains the same words which Burns had in-
tended for the tune of " Major Graham," above mentioned,
including the four lines left out in Song No 402, from the
mistake which Mr Clarke had fallen into in arranging the
melody. The verses are here adapted to a very old and
plaintive air, entitled " Mary Queen of Scots." — See the fol-
lowing song.
cccciv.
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS' LAMENT.
This charming and pathetic ballad, beginning " Now na-
ture hangs her mantle green," was written by Burns on pur-
pose for the Museum. It is unquestionably one of the finest
compositions of our immortal bard. With matchless skill, he
has pourtrayed the situation and feelings of this beautiful
CCCCIV. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS' LAMENT. 363
but unfortunate queen, languishing in a miserable dungeon,
without a ray of worldly hope to cheer her afflicted soul.
Can any thing be finer than the concluding lines, in allusion
to her son, James VI. and the prospect of her own dissolu-
tion ?
My son ! my son ! may kinder stars
Upon thy fortune shine ;
And may those pleasures gild thy reign^
That ne'er wad blink on mine.
God keep thee frae thy mother's faes.
Or turn their hearts to thee ;
And where thou meet'st thy mother's friend^
Remember him for me.
O ! soon, to me, may summer-suns
Nae mair light up the morn !
Nae mair, to mv,. the autumn-winds
Wave o'er the yellow corn !
And in the narrow house of death.
Let winter round me rave ;
And the next flowers that deck the spring.
Bloom on my peaceful grave.
The verses are adapted to the ancient air, entitled " Mary
Queen of Scots' Lament," which Burns communicated to the
Editor of the Museum, alongst with the ballad. It consists
of one simple plaintive strain, ending on the fifth of the key,
and has every appearance of being one of our earliest tunes.
ccccv.
A LASSIE ALL ALONE .
The words of this song, beginning " As I stood by yon
roofless tower," were written by Burns for the Museum.
They are adapted to a tune, called " Cumnock Psalms,''
which was also communicated by the bard. The original
manuscript is before me ; but Burns afterwards made se-
veral alterations on the song, in which the chorus was struck
out and the title entirely changed. It is here reprinted, with
his last corrections.
A VISION.
As I stood by yon roofless tower.
Where the wa'-flower scents the dewy air.
Where the howlet mourns in her ivy bower.
And tells the midnight moon her care.
364 CCCCV. — A LASSIE ALL ALOME.
The winds were laid, the air was stilly
The stars they shot alang the sky ;
The fox was howling on the hill.
And the distant-echoing glens reply.
The stream, adown its hazelly path.
Was rushing by the ruin'd wa's.
Hasting to join the sweeping Nith,
Whase distant roaring swells and fa's.
The cauld blue north was streaming forth
Her lights, wi' hissing eerie din ;
Athort the lift they start and shift.
Like fortune's favours, tint as win.
By heedless chance I turn'd mine eyes.
And by the moon-beam shook to see,
A stern and stalwart ghaist arise,
Attir'd as minstrels wont to be.
Had I a statue been o' stane.
His darin' look had daunted me ;
And on his bonnet grav'd was plain.
The sacred posy — Liberty !
And frae his harp sic strains did flow.
Might rous'd the slumb'ring dead to hear ;
But, oh ! it was a tale of woe.
As ever met a Briton's ear !
He sang wi' joy the former day.
He, weeping, wail'd his latter times ;
But what he said, it was nae play,
I winna ventur't in my rhymes.
Dr Currie informs us, that " The scenery so finely des-
cribed is taken from nature. The poet is supposed to be
musing by night on the banks of the river Cluden or Clou-
den, and by the ruins of Lincluden- Abbey, founded in the
twelfth century, in the reign of Malcolm IV., of whose pre-
sent situation the reader may find some account in Pennant's
Tour in Scotland, or Grose's Antiquities of that part of the
island. Such a time and such a place are well fitted for
holding converse with aerial beings. Though this poem has
a political bias, yet it may be presumed, that no reader of
taste, whatever his opinions may be, would forgive its being
omitted. Our poet's prudence suppressed the song of Liber-
tie, perhaps fortunately for his reputation. It may be ques-
CCCCV.— A LASSIE ALL ALONE. 365
tioned whether, even in the researches of his genius, a strain
of poetry could have been found worthy of the grandeur and
solemnity of this preparation. — Burns' Works, 'vol. iv.
ccccvi.
THE WREN'S NEST.
This nursery song, beginning '< The Robin cam to the
Wren's nest," appears to be a parody of some foolish old
verses of a similar song, preserved in Herd's Collection, vol.
ii., entitled " The Wren scho lyes in Care's Bed," or " Len-
nox's Love to Blantyre." The reader will Ukewise find the
song alluded to in the fifth volume of the Museum, with its
original tune, page 497.
Mr Clarke has thp. following note on his manuscript of the
words and music. " The tune is only a bad set of < John-
ny's Gray Breeks.' I took it down from Mrs Burns' singing.
There are more words, I believe. You must apply to Burns."
But Johnson has written below Mr Clarke's observation
*' there are no more words."
ceccvii.
PEGGY IN DEVOTION.
The words inserted in the Museum to this tune, beginnino-
« Sweet nymph of my devotion," are by an anonymous hand.
The old verses, beginning
Peggy in devotion.
Bred from tender years^
From my loving motion.
Still was called to prayers —
may be seen in Playford's Pills, first edition of volume ii.
printed at London in 1700. They are there adapted to the
same tune inserted in the Museum, entitled " The Scotch
Parson's Daughter." The old song, however, is only a
pseudo-Scottish production. It is likewise both indelicate
and profane.
CCCCVIII.
JAMIE C THE GLEN.
This humorous old song, beginning " Auld Rob, the
laird o' muckle land," has long been a favourite in the south
CCCCVIII. — JAMIE 0' THE CLEN.
of Scotland, where the Editor has heard it sung from his
earliest infancy ; but neither the author of the words nor the
composer of the tune are known. There is a striking coin-
cidence in several bars of this old air and the tune called
** O'er the Muir amang the Heather."
ccccix.
0' GIN YE WERE DEAD, GUDEMAN.
This ancient tune originally consisted of one strain. The
second part was taken from one of Oswald's variations of the
original melody, printed in the fourth volume of his Pocket
Companion. The following is a correct set of the original
melody, from a very old manuscript in the Editor's posses-
sion.
I WISH THAT YE WERE DEAD, GUDEMAN.
i
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a=a
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aza
15
^^^^
izaz:
This tune must have been quite common in Scotland long
before 1549 ; for it is one of the airs to which the Reformers
sung one of their spiritual hymns, beginning
Till our gudeman, till our gudeman,
Keip faith and love till our gudeman ;
For our gudeman in heuen does reigne
In gloir and bliss without ending.
The foolish old verses of the profane sang as it was called,
are annexed.
CHORUS.
I luish that you were dead, goodjnan,
And a green sod on your head, goodman.
That I might ware my widoxuhead
Upon a rantin Highlandman.
There's sax eggs in the panj goodman^
There's sax eggs in the pan, goodman ;
There's ane to you, and twa to me.
And three to our John Highlandman.
/ wish, &c.
CCCCIX. O GIN YE WERE DEAD, GUDEMAN. 367
There's beef into the pat, goodman,
There's beef into the pat, goodman ;
The banes for you, and the broo' for me.
And the beef for our John Highlandman.
/ wish, &c.
There's sax horse in the stud, goodmanj
There's sax horse in the stud, goodman ;
There's ane to yon, and twa to me.
And three to our John Highlandman.
/ wish, &c.
There's sax kye in the byre, goodman.
There's sax kye in the byre, goodman,
There's nane to you, and twa to me.
And the lave to our John Highlandman.
/ luish, &c.
Upon comparing the old verses with the manuscript of
this song, which Burns transmitted to Johnson in his own
hand-writing, the present Editor observes, that our poet
has made some verbal alterations, and omitted three stanzas
of the original words ; but, in their stead, he has added eight
lines of his own.
ccccx.
MY WIFE HAS TAEN THE GEE.
The author of this humorous and delightful song is un-
known. It is neither to be found in the Tea-Table Miscel-
lany of 1724, nor in Yair's Collection of 1749. It appears
in Herd's Songs, printed in 1769. The song therefore was
probably written between the years 1749 and 1769.
The verses have been adapted to different airs. The tune
in the Museum was communicated by Burns, and answers
the words extremely well, but it is evidently borrowed from
" Merry may the Maid be that marries the MHIer." — See
the Museum, vol. ii. song 123. In Ritson's Scottish Songs,
the words are set to a still more modern and a very indiffer-
ent air. In Gow's Fifth Collection of Reels and Strathspeys,
page 32, is an air called " My Wife she's taen the Gee," said
to be old, and communicated by the late Alexander Gibson
Hunter, of Blackness, Writer to the Signet, Edinburgh.
The first strain of this tune precisely fits the words of the
368 CCCCX. MY WIFE HAS TAEN THE GEE.
song, and it may have been the genuine air to which the
verses were originally sung.
The following anecdote relative to this song was related
to the Editor, by a Field Officer of the Bombay establishment.
Several years ago, some British Officers had the misfortune
to fall into the hands of Tippoo Saib, who threw them into
a dungeon in Seringapatam, where they were treated with
great severity. Towards the approach of the then ensuing
Christmas, they resolved to save a little out of the small pit-
tance allowed for their support, in order to celebrate that
natal day. With the fruits of their economy, they were
accordingly enabled to purchase some liquor ; and after their
Christmas dinner, the glass, the toast, and the song, went
cheerfully round. One of the officers, a Scotchman, when
called upon for a song, favoured his messmates with " My
Wife has taen the Gee." Next morning, Tippoo, as usual,
inquired at the officer on guard, how the prisoners had con-
ducted themselves over night ? " They were very merry,
and sung several of their national songs," was the answer.
*' Did you understand the import of any of them ?" Only
one. Sire, and it Avas all in praise of Ghee" (This is the
name of a clarified oil, made from buffalo-milk, and greatly
relished by the Asiatics.) " Have they ever had any ghee
to their rice T"" asked Tippoo. " No, never," replied the
officer. " Then," said Tippoo, " let them henceforth have a
suitable allowance of it daily." Accordingly, from that pe-
riod until they obtained their liberty, these officers were re-
gularly supplied with plenty of ghee, and their sufferings in
other respects were considerably mitigated,
ccccxi.
TAM LIN.
This romantic ballad or tale, beginning " O, I forbid you
maidens a' " is of unquestionable antiquity. It has been a
favourite on the borders of Scotland time out of memory.-—
The tale of the young Tamlane is mentioned in Vedder-
burn's Complaynt of Scotland, printed at St Andrews in
CCCCXI. TAM LIN. 369
1549. The air, to which the words are uniformly chanted,
had probably been used in former ages as a dancing tune,
for the Dance of Thorn ofLynn^ which seems a variation of
Tarn Lin, is noticed in the same work.
The ballad is likewise quoted in a Christmas or Yule
Medley, inserted in Wode's manuscript of the Psalms of
David, set to music, (the bass part) with the following doc-
quet. " Set in IIII partes be an honorable man ; David
Peables, I, S. Noted and wreattin by me Thomas Wode,
1. December, a. d. 1566." This part of a curious and
unique musical work, now lying before me, is at present
(1820) the property of William Blackwood, Esq. bookseller
in Edinburgh. The sopi-ano part of the same work, written
by the same person, belonging to the College Library of
Edinburgh, has likewise been sent to the Editor for perusal,
through the kindness of Principal Baird and Dr Duncan,
junior. The reader is here presented with a few lines of
this curious old medley.
" I saw three ladies fair
Singing, hey and how, upon yon green land-a;
I saw three marinells
Sing, row rinn below, upon yon sea strand-a.
As they begoud their notts to toone.
The pyper's drone was out of toone.
Sing, Jollie Robin ; sing. Young Thomlin.
Be mirrie, be mirrie, be mirrie, be mirrie.
And twice so mirrie with the light of the moon;
Hey, hey, downe a downe ; hey, downe a downe-a."
Sir W. Scott, in his " Minstrelsy of the Border," ob-
serves, that, like every popular subject, the tale of Tam Lin
seems to have been frequently parodied as a burlesque bal-
lad, beginning " Tom o"" the Lin was a Scotsman born," is
still well known ; and that he had seen it alluded to in ano-
ther ancient manuscript in the possession of John Graham
Dalyell, Esq. advocate, Edinburgh.
A fragment of this ballad, under the title of " Kerton
HaV or " the Fairy Court," is in Herd's Collection. It
begins —
370 ' CCCCXI.— TAM LIN.
She's prickt hersell, and prin'd hersel.
By the ae light o' the moon.
And she's aw a to Kertonha'
As fast as she can gang.
" What gars ye pu' the rose, Jenny ?
What gars ye break the tree ?
What gars ye gang to Kertonha'
Without the leave of me ?"
" Yes, I will pu' the rose, Thomas,
And I will break the tree.
For Kertonha' shou'd be my ain.
Nor ask I leave of thee."
&c. &c. &c.
Kertonha' is a corruption of the name of Carte^augh
near Selkirk. The ballad in the Museum, as well as the
original air, were communicated by Burns, in his own hand-
writing, to the editor of that work. This copy, with some
alterations, was afterwards reprinted in the Tales of Wonder.
Sir W. Scott, in his Minstrelsy of the Border^ has
likewise favoured the public with another edition of the bal-
lad, under the title of " The Young Tamlane ;" to which he
has prefixed a long and ingenious essay on the fairies of po-
pular superstition. Many of the stanzas in Sir W. Scott's
version, however, if not by himself, are evidently the work
of a modern hand. The language itself betrays the era of
the writer.
The scene of the ballad of Tam Lin is laid in Selkirk-
shire. Carterhaugh is a plain at the conflux of the Ettrick
and Yarrow, about a mile above Selkirk. Sir W. Scott says,
" The peasants point out, upon the plain, those electrical
rings, which vulgar credulity supposes to be the traces of
the fairy revels. Here, they say, were placed the stands of
milk and of water, in which Tamlane was dipped, in order
to effect his disenchantment ; and upon these spots, accord-
ing to their mode of expressing themselves, the grass will
never grow. Miles Cross, (perhaps a corruption of Mary''s
Cross) where fair Janet waited the arrival of the fairy train,
is said to have stood near the Duke of Buccleuch's seat
of Bowhill, about half a mile from Carterhaugh." — Min-
strelsy of the Border, vol. ii. p. 178.
871
CCCCXII.
HERE'S A HEALTH TO THEM THAT'S AW A.
The words and air of this song were communicated by
Burns ; but neither of them are genuine. The words con-
sist of a verse of a Jacobite song, with verbal alterations by
Burns himself. The tune has half a bar in the first strain
more than it should have ; and Johnson, to mend the matter,
has marked the time | in place off. A correct copy of the
words and music is annexed.
HERE'S A HEALTH TO HIM THAT'S AWAY.
A
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Here's a health to him that's a -way. Here's a health to
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him that's a - - way;, Here's to him that was here yestreen.
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But durst nae a - bide till day. O wha winna driuk it
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372 ccccxiL— here's a health to them that's awa.
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lad that's gane. Is nane o' our com - pa - ny.
m
, Here's a health to him that's away.
Here's a health to him that's away.
Here's to him, that luas here yestreen,
But durst nae abide till day.
O let him be swung on a tree^
O let Mm be swung on a tree,
Wha winna drink to the lad that's gane.
Can ne'er be the man for me.
Here's a health to him that's away,
Here's a health to him that's away.
Here's to him that ivas here yestreen.
But durst nae abide till day.
It's good to be merry and wise ;
It's good to be honest and true ;
It's good to be afF wi' the auld king.
Afore we be on wi' the new.
Burns left the following unfinished parody of the above
song, which was found among his papers after his decease.
Here's a health to them that's awa.
Here's a health to them that's awa ;
And wha winna wish gude luck to our cause.
May never gu de-luck be their fa'.
It's gude to be merry and wise.
It's gude to be honest and true ;
It's gude to support Caledonia's cause.
And abide by the buff and the blue.
Here's a health to them that's awa.
Here's a health to them that's awa ;
Here's a health to Charhe,* the chief o' the clan,
Altho' that his band be sma'.
May liberty meet wi' success !
May prudence protect her frae evil !
May tyrants and tyranny tine in the mist.
And wander their way to the devil !
* The Right Honourable Charles James Fox.
CCCCXII. HERE'S A HEALTH TO THEM THAT's AWA. 373
Here's a health to them that's awa.
Here's a health to them that's awa ;
Here's a health to Tammie,* the Norland laddie.
That lives at the lug o' the law !
Here's freedom to him that wad read.
Here's freedom to him that wad write !
There's nane ever fear'd that the truth should be heard,
But they wham the truth wad indite.
Here's a health to them that's awa.
Here's a health to them that's awa ;
Here's Chieftan M'Leod,t a chieftan worth gowd,
Tho' bred amang mountains o' snaw.
CCCCXIII,
AULD LANGSYNE;
Burns communicated this old fragment, with the third and
fourth verses written by himself, to the publisher of the
Museum. Johnson accordingly marked it with the letter Z,
which was usually put to old songs with additions or altera-
tions, in that work.
In a letter which Burns addressed to Mrs Dunlop, dated
December, 1788, he says, " Apropos is not the Scotch
phrase Auld Langsyne exceedingly expressive. There is an
old song and tune which has often thrilled through my soul.
You know I am an enthusiast in old Scotch songs. I shall
give you the verses on the other sheet, as I suppose Mr Ker
will save you the postage. (Here follow the verses, as printed
in the Museum, vol. v.) Light be the turf on the breast
of the heaven-inspired poet who composed this glorious
fragment ! There is more of the fire of native genius in it
than half-a-dozen of modern English Bacchanalians. Now
I am on my Hobby-horse, I cannot help inserting two other
old stanzas, which please me mightily." Here follows the
song, beginning Go fitch to me a pint o' wine^ which is in-
serted in the Museum, vol. iii. page 240. Burns, however,
in his Reliques, afterwards admits that the whole of this song,
* Lord Thomas Erskine. i- M'Leod of that ilk.
874 ceccxiii. — auld langsyne.
called " The Silver Tassie/' excepting the first four lines,
was his own.
In the Reliques, published by Cromek, Burns has the fol-
lowing remark : " Ramsay, as usual with him, has taken
the idea of Auld Langsyne from the old fragment, which may
be seen in the Museum, vol. v/' And, in a letter to Mr Thom-
son, dated September, 1793, he says, " One song more, and
I am done — Auld Langsyne. The air is but mediocre ; but
the following song, the old song of the olden times, and
which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript, until
I took it down from an old man's singing, is enough to re-
commend any air."
Mr Cromek justly observes, that Burns sometimes wrote
poems in the old ballad style, which, for reasons best known
to himself, he gave the public as songs of the olden time.
"Auld Langsyne — Go fetch tome aPint o' Wine — The lovely
Lass of Inverness" — are all proofs of this fact. He admitted
to Johnson, that thi'ee of the stanzas of Langsyne only were
old, the other two being written by himself. These three
stanzas relate to the cup, the pint stoup, and a gude willie-
waught. Those two introduced by Burns, have only rela-
tion to the innocent amusements of youth, contrasted with
the cares and troubles of maturer age. Burns brushed up
many of the old lyrics of Caledonia in a similar manner, and
several of them certainly required the pruning-hook to ren-
der them even tolerable to the present generation. Ramsay
did the same thing, and it was this that offended Ritson, the
antiquary. " Burns,'"" says he, '' as good a poet as Ramsay, is,
it must be regretted, an equally licentious and unfaithful
publisher of the performances of others. Many of the ori-
ginal, old, ancient, genuine songs, inserted in Johnson's Scots
Musical Museum, derive not a little of their merit from pass-
ing through the hand of this very ingenious critic." — Histori-
cal Essay on Scottish Song.
With regard to the tune to which the verses are adapted
in Johnson's Museum, it is the original air of " Auld Lang-
CCCCXIII.— AULD LANGSY^JE.
375
syne," preserved in the Orpheus Caledonius of 1T25, and
other old collections. As Burns had mentioned that the
old tune was but mediocre, Mr Thomson got the words ar-
ranged to an air introduced by Shield in his overture to the
opera of Rosina, written by Mr Brooks, and acted at Covent-
Garden in 1783. It is the last movement of that overture,
and in imitation of a Scottish bagpipe-tune, in which the
oboe is substituted for the chanter, and the bassoon for the
drone. Mr Shield, however, borrowed this air, almost note
for note, from the third and fourth strains of the Scottish
strathspey in Cumming's Collection, under the title of " The
Miller's Wedding." In Gow's First Collection, it is called
*' The Miller's Daughter ;" but the strathspey itself is mo-
delled from the Lowland melody of "I fee'd a Lad at Michael-
mas-'"— See Notes on Song No 394. Gow also introduced
the air, as slightly altered by Shield, in his Collection of
Reels, &c. book i. and gave it the name of " Sir Alex-
ander Don's Strathspey," in compliment to his friend, the
late Baronet of Newton-don, in the county of Roxburgh,
who was both a good violin-player, and a steady patron]of the
musical art.
As the latter air has, in a great measure, supplanted the
proper tune of " Auld Langsyne," it is here annexed.
AULD LANGSYNE.
An old Scotch drinking Song, with additions by Burns.
Time — " I fee'd a lad at Michaelmas."
K±i
m
^
tzza:
■9—r-i — -<
Should auld acqualntanc6 be forgot. And ne-ver brought to
^=^
._-=_^
r p
■■ 1 i
m
^B^g^j^fe^:
mind? Should avild acquaintance be forgot. And days o' lang-
1^; : p J zzz — =_.:
'±^—J — J_ _ _ — : i-L—Mz^ i) <— :
2- E
376
CCCCXIIK-w-AULD LANdSYNE.
i^^
p=i
If^ttrs
^^^^
:F;;^-^-4~f'*"
tzi*::
/ syne. For auld langejiie, my dear. For auld langsyne, We'll
W3^
4 — ^
r
5E
in
±£^±1=^:
tak a cup o' kindness yet. For auld langsyne.
m
(=5
:a
:^
And surely you'll be your pint-stowp !
And surely I'll be mine !
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet.
For auld lang syne.
For auld, S^c.
We twa hue run about the bi-aes,
And pu'd the gowans fine ;
Sut we've wander d mony a lueary foot
Since auld lang syne.
For aidd, S^c.
We twa has paidl'd in the burn
From morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae row'd
Since auld lang syne.
For aidd, S^c,
And there's a hand my trusty frere.
And gie's a hand of thine.
We'll tak a right gude-willy waught.
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne ;
We'U tak a cup o' kindness yet.
For auld lang syne.
This song has been very happily arranged as a glee, for
four voices, by Mr William Knyvett, of London.
ccccxiv.
LOUIS, WHAT RECK I BY THEE ?
Burns, in the Reliques, says, " These words are mine."
He likewise communicated the fine old air to which the verses
CCCCXIV.— LOUIS, WHAT HECK I BY TIIEE ? 377
are adapted. This is another production of our bard in
praise of his " Jean,"' afterwards Mrs Burns.
ccccxv.
HAD I THE WYTE? SHE BAD ME.
This old song partpok too freely of the broad humour of
the former age to obtain admission into the Museum, until
Burns pruned it of some of its luxuriances. The old verses
omitted are perhaps still too well known. The tune was ori-
ginally called " Come kiss wi' me, come clap wi' me," and
consisted of one strain, viz. the first. The reader will find it
in its native simplicity in the Orpheus Caledonius, as well as
in a former part of this work. See Notes on Song No 351.
The second strain is added in Oswald's Caledonian Pocket
Companion, book vii, page 20, and the tune is there entitled
" Had I the wyte she bad me."
ccccxvi.
THE AULD MAN HE CAM OVER THE LEA.
The words and music of this song were communicated by
Burns as an ancient fragment, for the Museum. It is an
humorous parody of the old song, entitled " The Carl he cam
o'er Craft." The tune is said to be very old.
ccccxvii.
COMIN THRO' THE RYE.—lst Set.
This song was written by Burns. The air is taken from
the third and fourth strains of the strathspey called " The
Miller's Daughter." See Gow's First Collection.
CCCCXVIII.
COMIN THRO' THE RYE — 2d Set.
The words and music of this song, beginning " Gin a
body meet a body," are parodied from the first set, which was
published as a single sheet song before it was copied into the
Museum. Mr John Watlen, musician and music-seller, for-
merly in Edinburgh, now in London, afterwards altered the
first strain of the former tune a little, and published it with
the new words. His edition had a considerable run.
378
CCCCXIX.
THE DUKE OF GORDON HAS THREE DAUGHTERS.
" There is a song," says Burns, " apparently as ancient
as the Ewe-hughts Marion^'' which sings to the same tune,
and is evidently of the North. It begins, " The Lord o' Gor-
don had three daughters." — Rellques- The words of the
ballad are no doubt sometimes sung to the air of Ezve-hughts
Marion, in the south of Scotland ; but it is owing to their
ignorance of the original air to which the ballad is uniformly
sung in the North. Mr Clarke took down the air as it was
chanted by a lady of his acquaintance, and thus restored the
ballad to its original tune. The words and music first ap-
peared together in print in the Museum. Ritson has insert-
ed the ballad in his Collection of Scottish Songs ; but, as he
did not know the tune, he has left a blank space for the music
in his work.
Alexander, third Earl of Huntly, was succeeded, in 1523,
by his grandson Alexander, Lord Gordon, who actually had
three daughters. I. Lady Elizabeth, the eldest, married to
John, Earl of Athol. 11. Lady Margaret, married to John,
Lord Forbes. III. Lady Jean, the youngest, married Jirst
to James, Earl of Bothwell, from whom she was divorced in
1568 ; she married, secondly, Alexander, Earl of Sutherland,
who died in 1594; and surviving him, she married, thirdly.
Captain Alexander Ogilvie, son and successor of Sir Walter
Ogilvie of Boyne, who died in 1 606 without issue.
The first Hne of the ballad, as quoted by Burns, is evi-
dently more correct than that inserted in the Museum or in
Ritson's Collection, for the dukedom of Gordon was not
created till the year 1684. Johnson has omitted eighteen
verses of the ballad for want of room, but the reader will find
the whole of it in Ritson's Scottish Songs.
ccccxx.
YOUNG JAMIE, PRIDE OF A' THE PLAIN.
This beautiful song is another unclaimed production of
Burns. The words .are adapted to the plaintive and well
known air, entitled " The Carlin o' the Glen."
379
CCCCXXI.
OUT OVER THE FORTH, &c.
This song was written by Burns, and adapted to the air
entitled " Charles Gordon's welcome Home," It was after-
wards reprinted in his Reliques, by Cromek.
At the end of the song, Burns has the following note :—
" The inclosed tune is a part of Gow's ' Charles Gordon's
welcome home ;' but I do not think the close of the second
part of the tune happy. Mr Clarke, on looking over Gow's
air, will probably contrive a better."
Mr Clarke has retained Mr Gow's tune, but at the close of
the second strain he has attended to the hint given him by
the bard.
ccccxxii.
WANTONNESS FOR EVERMAIR.
This hugatelle was written, and communicated by Burns.
Clarke thought it worthy a place in the Museum, that the
tune might be preserved, which is ancient, and deserving of
better lines than those furnished by the bard.
CCCCXXIII.
THE HUMBLE BEGGAR.
This fine old humorous ballad, beginning " In Scotland
there liv'd a humble beggar," was recovered by David Herd,
and printed in his Collection. The tune was communicated
to Johnson by the late Mr Robert Macintosh, musician in
Edinburgh, who obtained it from an old acquaintance that
used to sing this ballad with great glee. Mr James Johnson,
on sending the air to be arranged, wrote Mr Clarke the fol-
lowing note : " Sir, — The above is the exact tune taken down
by Mr R. Macintosh. It is a very funny song, and sought
after by many. — J. J.''
ccccxxiv.
THE ROWIN'T IN HER APRON.
This ancient fragment, beginning "Our young lady's a
hunting gane," with its original air, were recovered by Burns,
and transmitted in his own hand-writing to Johnson for the
380 ccccxxiv. — THE rowin''t in her aprok.
Museum, The scene is laid in the stewartry of Kirkcud-
bright. The old castle of Terreagles stood on the banks of
the Nith, neai- its junction with the Cluden.
ccccxxv.
THE BOATIE ROWS 1st Set.
Burns informs us, that " the author of this song, begin-
ning ' O weel may the boatie row,' was a Mr Ewen of Aber-
deen. It is a charming display of womanly affection ming-
ling with the concerns and occupations of life. It is nearly
equal to There's nae luck abend the house.'''' — Reliques.
This fine ballad is set to three different tunes in the Mu-
seum. The first four bars of the air. No 425, are taken from
the tune called " Weel may the Keel row," and all the rest
from the tune of " There's nae Luck about the House." The
words, however, are seldom sung to this mongrel melody.
CGCCXXVI.
THE BOATIE ROWS— 2d Set.
This air to the same words was inserted by desire of Mr
Clarke, who wrote the following note under the manuscript
of the music : — '• You must take this, as the other music is
printed already in a former volume."" This tune, however,
lias never become a favourite with those who sing the ballad.
ccccxxvir.
THE BOATIE ROWS,— 3d Set.
This fine modern air is the genuine tune of the ballad.
Some years ago it was arranged as a glee, for three voices, by
Mr William Knyvett of London, and has deservedly become
very popular. """
ccccxxvin.
CHARLIE HE'S MY DARLING.
This Jacobite song, beginning " 'Twas on a Monday
morning,'' was communicated by Burns to the editor of the
^T^Iuseum. The air Avas modernized by Mr Clarke. The
reader will find a genuine copy of the old air in Hogg's Ja-
cobite Reliques, vol. ii. p. 93.
381
ecccxxix.
AS SYLVIA IN A FOREST LAY.
This song is taken from Ramsay's Tea-Table Miscellany of
1724, where it is marked with the letter M, which is the ini-
tial letter of its composer''s surname, viz. David Malloeh, Esq.
when he was a tutor in the family of Mr Home. The verses
are adapted to the tune called " The Maid's Complaint,"
which was composed by Oswald, and published in the fourth
book of his Caledonian Pocket Companion, p. 40. The last
two bars of the second strain Were improved by Mr Stephen
Clarke, as the reader will perceive upon comparing the air in
the Museum with Oswald's tune. Mallet's verses were pub-
lished in the Orpheus Caledonius, to the air of " Pinkie
House."
ccccxxx,
THE LASS OF ECGLEPKCHAN.
This humorous song, beginning " Gat ye me, O gat ye
me," is a production of Burns'. It is adapted to a fine old
lively air, communicated by Burns, which is well known
by the name of " Jack o' Latin,'' printed, with variations, in
Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion, and several other
collections. Ecclefechan is a well-known village in Dum-
fries-shire.
CCCCXXXI.
THE COUPER O' CUDDY.
This humorous song, beginning " We'll hide the couper
behind the door," is another production of Burns. He directs
it to be set to the well-known dancing tune called " Bab at
the Bouster.'' At the end of his manuscript he writes, " This
tune is to be met with every where." If the delicacy of this
song had been equal to its wit, it would have done honour to
any bard.
CCCCXXXII.
WIDOW, ARE YE WAKING ?
This song, beginning " Wha is that at my chaml»r door .?"
was written by Ramsay, and printed in his Tea-Table Miscel-
382 ccccxxxii. — WIDOW, are ye waking ?
lany, 1724. It is there entitled « The Auld Man's best Ar-
gument," and is directed to be sung to the tune of " Widow
are ye wakin," a licentious but witty old song, long anterior
to the days of Ramsay. The Editor is in possession of a very
old copy of this tune, but it is nearly the same as that in the
Museum.
CCCCXXXIII.
THE MALTMAN.
This is another production of Ramsay. It possesses un-
common humour, but a sort of double meaning runs through
the verses, and renders them somewhat liable to objection.
The lively old air to which the words are adapted appears in
Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion,
ccccxxxiv.
LEEZIE LINDSAY.
This beautiful old air was communicated by Burns. The
stanza to which it is adapted, beginning " Will ye go to the
Highlands, Leezie Lindsay," was written by Burns, who in-
tended to have added some more verses, as appears from the
following memorandum, written by Johnson on the original
manuscript of the music. " Mr Burns is to send words ;*"
but they were never transmitted. He appears to have had
the old fragment of the ballad called Leezie Baillie in view,
when he composed the above stanza. See Notes on Song'
No 456. A large fragment of the old ballad of Leezie Lind.
say, however, may be seen in Jamieson's Popular Ballads and
Songs, vol, ii.
ccccxxxv.
THE AULD WIFE AYONT THE FIRE.
The genuine air inserted in the Museum likewise appears
in Crockat's Manuscript Music Book, written in 1709, under
the title of " The old Wife beyond the Fire." It would there-
fore seem, as if Ramsay had softened down an older and less
Scotified song, preserving as much of the spirit and broad
humour of the original as might appear consistent with the
manners and taste of the times in which he lived. His bio-
grapher, however, attributes the whole of the song to Ram-
CCCCXXXV. — THE AULD WIFE AYONT THE FIRE. 383
say ; but Ramsay himself marks this song with the letter Q,
to shew that it was an old song with additions. The tune,
under the title of " Set the old Wife beyond the Fire," was
printed in John Walsh's Caledonian Country Dances,
ccccxxxvi.
FOR THE SAKE O' SOMEBODY.
The whole of this song, as printed in the Museum, begin-
ning " My heart is sair, I darna tell," was written by Burns,
except the third and fourth lines of stanza first, which are
taken from Ramsay's song, under the same title and to the
same old tune, which may also be seen in Oswald's Caledo-
nian Pocket Companion. To this work, Burns, in a note
annexed to the manuscript song, refers Johnson for the
music.
Ramsay's verses are in the shape of a dialogue between a
lover and his sweetheart ; but they possess very little merit.
The old air consists of one simple strain, ending on the third
of the key. The second strain is merely a repetition of the
first. It is probable, that the melody had been originally
adapted to a much older set of verses than those of Ramsay,
and that the old song consisted of stanzas of four, in place of
eight lines each.
ccccxxxvii.
THE CARDIN O'T.
These verses, beginning " I coft a stane o' haslock woo',"
were written by Burns, whose original manuscript is at pre-
sent before the Editor, The words are adapted to a lively
old Scotch measure, called " Salt Fish and Dumplings."
ccccxxxviii,
THE SOUTERS 0' SELKIRK.
Mr Tytler, in his ingenious " Essay on Scottish Music,''
alluding to the fragment of this old song, beginning " Up
wi' the Souters o' Selkirk," has the following remarks : —
*' This ballad is founded on the following incident : Previous
to the battle of Flodden, the town-clerk of Selkirk conducted
a band of eighty souters, or shoemakers of that town, who
joined the royal army ; and the town-clerk, in reward of his
384- CCCCXXXVJII.— THE SOUTERS O' SELKIRK.
loyalty, was created a knight-banneret by that prince. They
fought gallantly, and most of them were cut off. A few who
escaped, found, on their return, in the forest of Ladywood
edge, the wife of one of their brethren lying dead, and her
child sucking her breast. Thence the town of Selkirk ob-
tained for their arms, a woman sitting upon a sarcophagus,
holding a child in her arms ; in the back ground a wood ;
and on the sarcophagus the arms of Scotland."
" For all this fine story (says Ritson, in his Historical Es-
say on Scottish Song, p. 34.) there is probably no foundation
whatever. That the souters of Selkirk should, in 1513,
amount to fourscore fighting men, is a circumstance utterly
incredible. It is scarcely to be supposed, that all the shoe-
makers in Scotland could have produced such an army, at a
period when shoes must have been less worn than they are at
present."" He then proceeds to acquaint us, that Dr John-
son was told at Aberdeen, that the people learned the art of
making shoes from Cromweirs soldiers ; that tall boys run
without shoes in the streets ; and, in the islands, even the
sons of gentlemen pass several of their first years with naked
feet. " Away then (says Ritson) with the fable of The
Souters of Selkirk T
It is matter of deep regret to observe, that some men of
•education, and even of very superior abilities, are occasionally
betrayed into error and inconsistency, by allowing their minds
to get entangled in the mazes of national and unmanly preju-
dice. Several instances of this fact, Avith regard to Scotland,
disfigure the writings of Dr Johnson and Mr Joseph Ritson.
In other respects their literary labours are exceedingly meri-
torious and valuable. These erudite and very ingenious au-
thors have not scrupled to affirm, that the natives of North
Britain are more prone to believe in absurd and extravagant
traditions than any other nation whatever ; that the Scots
had no shoes until Cromweirs soldiers taught the people to
make them ; and that all Scotland could scarcely have mus-
tered an army of eighty shoemakers at the battle of Flodden,
CCCCXXXVIII.— THE SOUTF.US O' SELKIRK. 385
III short, Scotland seems to have appeared to them in the
same light as it did to another Englishman, who expresses hia
ideas of the country in the following curious lines :—
Bleak are thy hills, O North !
And l)arreri are thy plains ;
Bare-leg'd arc tliy iiyinpha.
And bare a — are thy swains.
But a candid and patient inquirer will neither permit himself
to be deceived by vague assertion, nor will he degrade his
character by a similar mode of retaliation, which, tliough
easy, can never benefit the cause of truth. Sober reflection
will convince every man, that the Omniscient Author of our
existence lias adapted every animal to the element it is des-
tined to inhabit. Nor has he denied to mankind, wlierevcr
situated on the habitable globe, the means and the ingenuity
of accommodating their dress in conformity to the nature of
the climate. Amongst all the nations that inhabit the bleak
and barren regions of the north, however rude or uncivilized,
none have yet been discovered that were destitute of the ne-
cessary habiliments for protecting every part of the body from
the inclemency of the weather. Nor was Scotland an excep-
tion to this rule until the days of Cromwell. On the con-
trary, it appears that the Scottish legislature, at an early pe-
riod, directed its attentitm to the manufacturers of shoes, who
had attained such skill in their profession, as to render their
goods an o!)ject of foreign commerce. It was even found ne-
cessary to prohibit the export both of the raw and of the ma-
nufactured material : " Sowters sould be challenged, that they
bark lether, and makes shoone otherwaics than the law per-
mittes ; that is to say, of lether quhere tlie home and the eare
are of ane like length. They make shoone, buites, and other
graith, before the leather is barked (tanned)."" — Chalmerlan
Air, c. 2!;?. Again, by the fourth Parliament in the reign of
James IV. who fell at Floddcn, cordoners (i. e. shoemakers)
are prohi})ited, under a severe penalty, from taking custom
from such of their own craft as come to the weekly markets,
CCCCXXXVIII.— THE SOUTKKS O SELKIRK.
except what was wont by old Iww. Barked hides (i. e. tanned
leather) and made shoes, are among the hst of articles which
were prohibited to be exported by act of the fourth parUa-
ment held in the reign of James VI, c, 59.
Now, these ordinances were all made long before Cromwell
was born. Away, then, with the fable of CromweU's soldiers
first teaching the inhabitants of Scotland to make shoes. It
seems evident, that the Doctor had never been an eye-witness
of the dress of the peasantry in Scotland during the rigours
of winter ; nor had Ritson been more fortunate in viewing
any procession of the shoemakers in a royal Scottish burgh on
the day of St Crispin, a festival long celebrated in Scottish
song. That eighty souters were capable of making shoes for
a population of nearly two millions of inhabitants, is indeed
so very absurd as to require no serious refutation.
It may be observed, en passant, that the epithet of " The
Souters of Selkirk'' does not exclusively mean those members
of the incorporation who are actually shoemakers by profes-
sion. This appellation is given to the burgesses of Selkirk,
whether shoemakers or not ; and it appears to have originated
from the singular custom observed at the admission of a new
member, a ceremony which is on no account dispensed with.
Some hog-bristles are attached to the seal of his burgess
ticket ; these he must dip in wine, and pass between his lips,
as a tribute of his respect to this ancient and useful fraternity.
Sir Walter Scott himself has the honour of being one of their
number.
That the once populous and important royal burgh of Sel-
kirk was pillaged and laid waste by the English, in revenge
of the signal bravery displayed by its " Souters" in battle ;
and that James V. the succeeding monarch, testified his gra-
titude for their loyalty and valour, as well as his compassion
for the sufferings of its surviving inhabitants ; are facts that
can be fully elucidated. Thus, on the 4th March 1536, that
prince, on the narrative that the greater part of Selkirk had
been laid waste, and destroyed by war, pestilence, fire, &c. he
CCCCXXXVIII.— THE SOUTERS o' SELKIRK. 387
erects it of new into a royal burgh, with all the privileges an-
nexed to such corporations. On the 20th of June 1536, the
same prince, " for the gude, trew, and thankful service done
and to be done to ws be owre lovittis, the baillies, burgesses,
and communite of our burgh of Selkirk, and for certaine othir
reasonable causis and considerationis moving ws, be the ten-
nor hereof, gkantis and gevis license to thame and their
successors to ryfe out, breke, and teil yeirlie ane thousand
acres of thair common landis of our said burgh, in what part
thairof they please, for the policy, strengthing, and bigging
of the samyn ; for the wele of ws and of lieges repairand
thairto, and defence againis owre auld innemyis of Ingland
and otherwayis ; And Will and Grantis that thai sail nocht
be callit, accusit, nor incur ony danger, or skaith thairthrow,
in thair personis, landis, nor gudis, in ony wise in time cuming,
Nochtwithstanding ony owre actis or statutis maid or to be
maid in the contrair in ony panys contenit tharein, anent the
quhilkis we dispens with thame be thir owre letters : With
power to occupy the saidis landis with thare awne gudis, or to
set thame to tenentis as thai sail think maist expedient for the
wele of our said burgh ; With free ishe and entrie, and with
all and sindry utheris commoditeis, freedomes, asiamentis, and
richtis pertinentis whatsumever pertenying, or that rychtuisly
may pertene thairto, perpetually in tyme cumming, frelie,
quietlie, wele, and in peace, but ony revocation or agane call-
ing whatsumever. Gevin under owre signet, and subscrivit
with owre hand, at Striveling, the twenty day of Junii, the
yeir of God ane thousand five hundreth and thretty six yeris
and of owre regne the twenti thre yeir." Here follows ano-
ther grant by that prince, dated about nine weeks after the
one that has just been narrated : " We, understanding that
owre burgh of Selkirk, and inhabitants thairof, continualie
sen the Field of Flodoune has been oppressit, heriit and owre
run be theves and traitors, whairthrow the hant of merchan-
dice has cessit amangis thame of langtyme bygane, and thai
heriit thairthrow, and we defraudit of owre custumis and
388 ccccxxxviii, — the souters o^ selkiek.
dewties : Thairfor, and for divers utheris resonable causis
and considerationes moving ws, be the tenor heirof, of owre
kinglie power, free motive and autorite ryall, Grantis and
Gevis to thame and thair successors, ane fair day, begynand at
the feist of the conception of owre Lady next to cum aftere
the day of the date hereof, and be the octaves of the sammyn
perpetually in time cuming ; To be usit and exercit be thame
als frelie in time cuming, as ony other fair is usit or exercit be
ony utheris owre burrowis within owre realme ; payand yeir-
lie custumis and dewties, audit and wont, as effeiris, frelie,
quietlie, wele, and in pece, but ony revocation, obstakill, im-
pediment, or agane calling whatsumever. Subscrivit with
owre hand, and gevin under owre signet, at Kirkcaldy, the
secund day of September, the yeir of God ane thousand five
hundreth and thretty sex yeiris, and of owre regne the twenty
three yeir."
The Royal Charter, confirming the three foregoing deeds,
and ratifying them in the most full and ample manner, is
dated at Edinburgh the eighth day of April 1538, and is pre-
served in the records of the burgh of Selkirk.
WiUiam Brydon, the town-clerk of Selkirk, who led " the
Souters" to the field of battle, was knighted for his gallant con-
duct at Flodden, This fact is ascertained by many deeds still
extant, in which his name appears as a notary-public. John
Brydon, a citizen of Selkirk, his lineal descendant, is still
alive, and in possession of the sword of his brave ancestor.
A standard, the appearance of which bespeaks its antiquity,
is still carried annually, on the day of riding their common,
by the corporation of weavers, by a member of which it was
taken from the English in the field of Flodden. This the
Editor has often seen. Thus every circumstance of the tradi-
tional story is corroborated by direct evidence.
That the ballad, a corrupted fragment of which is inserted
in the Museum, relates to the eventful battle of Flodden, the
Editor, who was born and educated in the neighbourhood of
Selkirk, has not the smallest doubt. The late Mr Robert-
CCCCXXXVin.-*-THE SOUTEllS O' SELKIRK. 389
son, minister of Selkirk, indeed mentions, in his statistical
account of the parish, that the song.
Up w'l the Souters cf Selkirk,
And down with the Earl of Home —
was not composed on the battle of Flodden, as there was no
Earl of Hume at that time, nor till long after ; but that it
*' arose from a bet betwixt the Philiphaugh and Hume fami-
lies; the Souters (or shoemakers) of Selkirk against the men
of Hume, at a match of football, in which the Souters of Sel-
kirk completely gained, and afterwards perpetuated their vic-
tory in that song." The late Andrev^ Plummer, Esq. of
Middlestead, who was sheriff-depute of the county of Selkirk,
and a faithful and learned antiquarian, in a letter to the late
Mr David Herd, dated 13th January 1793, says, " I was
five years at school at Selkirk, have hved all my days within
two miles of that town, and never once heard a tradition of
this imaginary contest till I saw it in print."
" Although the words are not very ancient, there is every
reason to believe that they allude to the battle of Flodden,
and to the different behaviour of the souters and Lord Hume
upon that occasion. At election dinners, &c. when the Sel-
kirk folks begin to get Jbu (merry), they always call for mu-
sic, and for that tune in particular. At such times I never
heard a Souter hint at the football, but many times speak of
the battle of Flodden." — See Scott's Border Minstrelsi/^ vol.
iii. p. 118.
Neither Mr Robertson nor Mr Plummer, however, appear
to have heard or seen any more than three or four lines of
the song, otherwise not a doubt could have been entertained
on the subject. The words, as well as the genuine simple
air of the ballad, both of which have been shockingly muti-
lated and corrupted, are here restored, as the Editor heard
them sung and played, by the border musicians, in his younger
days. The original melody is a bag- pipe tune, of eight dia-
tonic intervals in its compass ; a bass part has therefore been
added, in imitation of the drone of that instrument.
890 CCCCXXXVIII. — THE SOUTERS o' SELKIRK.
THE SOUTERS O' SELKIRK.
Lively.
Up wi' the Souters o' Selkirk, And down wi' the fazart Lord
E
r~^i~r=F^zb=j:
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^i.
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/ Hume, But up wi' il-ka braw callant That sews the single-soal'd
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A-l-J — p
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shoon; And up wi' the lads o' the Forest, That ne'er to the
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£
s
Southron wad yield. But deil scoup o' Hume and his menzie. That
B^
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stude sae abiegh on the field.
m
II.
Fye ! on the green and the yallow.
The craw-hearted loons o' the Merse ;
But here's to the Souters o' Selkirk,
The elshin, the hngle, and birse.
Then up wi' the Souters o' Selkirk,
For they are baith trusty and leU ;
And up wi' the lads o' the forest —
And down wi' the Merse to the deil.
1
891
CCCCXX.XIX.
THE ROCK AND A WEE PICKLE TOW.
There is a very old set of verses to this tunc, but they
are rather coarse for insertion. A copy of the tune, under
the title of " A Scottish March," appears in John Playford's
Musick's Hand-Maid, published in 167S ; but the second
strain contains a redundant bar, which spoils the measure.
It is reprinted, with all its imperfections, in Smith's Musica
Antiqua, vol. ii. p. 175. The tune is annexed.
A SCOTTISH MARCH. 1678.
3
JEnZZ33F
|E^
±zftz
i^^il
ii^^^
^fF^E^J^^gfe^^^g^p
^~3 3uiEp=ptf"^^3^^i5S
Ramsay wrote new words to the same air, beginning " I
hae a green purse wi' a wee pickle gowd," printed in his
Tea-Table Miscellany in 1724. Mr Alexander Ross, for-
merly schoolmaster at Lochlee in the county of Forfar, like-
wise wrote a song on the old model, beginning " There was
an auld wife had a wee pickle tow," in which he has incorpo-
rated several lines of the original verses with those of his own
composition, and has spun out the song to nineteen stanzas of
eight lines each. The reader who may wish to peruse the
whole of Mr Ross's song, which possesses considerable merit,
although it is by far too long to be inserted in this work, will
find it annexed to his beautiful poem of " The Fortunate
Shepherdess," first printed at Aberdeen in 1768. The verses
in the Museum are an abridgment of Ross's song, it is be-
lieved by himself, and are taken from Herd's Collection iti
1776,
2 T
392
CCCCXL.
TIBBIE FOWLER 0' THE GLEN.
Although the Editor has heard this old song from his
earliest infancy, he never saw a correct copy of it in print till
it was inserted in the Museum. An imperfect fragment ap-
pears in Herd's Collection of 1776. Ramsay has a song in
his Miscellany, in 1724, to the same tune, but it is not in his
best style. It begins " Tibby has a store of charms," and is
entitled " Genty Tibby and Sonsy Nancy,*" to the tune of
" Tibby Fowler in the Glen." Since the publication of the
Museum, two modern stanzas have appeared in some copies
of the old song ; but they are easily detected. For instance.
In came Frank wi' his lang legs,
Gard a' the stair play clitter clatter ;
Had awa, young men, he begs.
For, by my sooth, I will be at her.
Fye upon the filthy snort.
There's o'er mony Avooing at her ;
Fifteen came frae Aberdeen ;
There's seven and forty wooing at her.
Fye upon the filthy snort of the man that could write such
nonsense. It is really too bad to disfigure our best old songs
with such unhallowed trash.
Cromek, in his " Nithsdale and Galloway Song," tells us,
" that in the trystes of Nithsdale there are many variations of
this curious song ;" and he accordingly presents his readers
with a medley, which he " picked up from a diligent search
among the old people of Nithsdale." But any person, by
glancing at Cromek's medley, will at once discover his verses
to be modern, and totally destitute of the exquisite humour
of the original. Indeed, this author unfortunately betrays his
own secret ; for, after having amused us with his sham verses,
he presents his readers with " The old words," which are co-
pied, without the slightest alteration or acknowledgment, from
Johnson's Museum.
393
CCCCXLI.
ON HEARING A YOUNG LADY SING.
The air as well as the words of this song, beginning " Blest
are the mortals above all," were composed by the late Mr
Allan Masterton of Edinburgh, the mutual friend of Burns
and the present Editor. He is the Allan, who is celebrated
in the song of " Willie brew'd a Peck o' Maut," mentioned
in a former part of this work. Mr Stephen Clarke, in a note
subjoined to the manuscript of the music, says to Johnson,
*' The words and music of this song are by Mr Allan Mas-
terton. You must get the rest of the words from him."
Johnson did so.
CCCCXLII.
THERE'S THREE GUDE BELLOWS AYONT YON GLEN.
The title and tune are all that remain of the old song,
which is taken from Macgibbon's First Collection of Scots
Tunes, p. 18. Oswald afterwards printed it under the new
title of " There's Three Good Fellows down in yon Glen," in
the fifth book of his Caledonian Pocket Companion, p. 1 .
The four lines in the Museum, beginning " Its now the
day is daw'ing," introduced in the solo, were hastily penned
by Burns at the request of the Publisher, who was anxious
to have the tune in that work, and the old words could not
be discovered. The wordj^' in is erroneously printed ^m
in the Museum. This beautiful old air, however, well merits
a better set of verses than those in the above-mentioned
work.
CCCCXLIII.
THE WEE THING, OR MARY OF CASTLE-CARY.
This charming ballad, beginning " Saw ye my wee thing,
saw ye my ain thing," was written by Hector Macneil, Esq.
author of the celebrated poem of " Will and Jean," and
several other esteemed works. It first appeared in a perio-
dical publication, entitled " The Bee," printed at Edinburgh
in May 1791. Mr Macneil informed the writer of this ar-
ticle, that the tune to which his song is adapted in the Mu-
seum is the genuine melody that he intended for the words.
39t
CCCCXLIV.
0 CAN YE SEW CUSHIONS ?
The words and music of this nursery song were commu-
:^.. nicated by Burns to the pubHsher of the Museum, in which
% it first appeared in print ; but the bard has left us no hints
/ ^ j|i'' respecting the history of the song. The late Mr Urbani of
3jy_^^Q,jv' Edinburgh, an excellent musician and composer, who was
^ W' /i' very fond of the melody, afterwards introduced it, with new
accompaniments by himself, in the second volume of his val-
uable Collection of Scottish Songs. Since that period it has
always been a favourite. I have heard another verse of this
ditty : It runs —
I've placed my cradle on yon holly top.
And aye as the wind blew, iny cradle did rock ,
O hush a ba, baby, 0 ba lilly loo.
And hee and ba, birdie, my bonnie wee dow.
Hee O ! wee O !
What will I do ivi' you, &^c,
CCCCXLV.
THE GLANCING OF HER APRON.
This ballad, beginning " In lovely August last," was
originally composed by Mr Thomas CUrfey, in imitation of,
and introduced by him as, a Scottish song, in his comedy of
" The Fond Husband, or the Plotting Sisters," acted at Lon-
don in 1670 with great applause. Mr John Playford after-
wards published it with the music in the second volume of
his Choice Ayres and Songs, London 1079- It was again
printed in Henry Playford's first volume of " Wit and
Mirth" in 169S. Allan Ramsay reprinted it in his Tea-
Table Miscellany in 1724, as an old song with additions.
Ramsay's additions, however, are neither more nor less than
alterations of some words in the original song, of which
, Durfey, from his ignorance of the Scottish dialect, seems nei-
ther to have understood the spelling nor the sense. At the
1 request of Johnson, Burns brushed up the three first stanzas
of Ramsay's version, and omitted the remainder for an ob-
vious reason.
CCCCXLV. THE GLANCING OF HF.R APKON.
395
With regard to the tune, to which the words were origi-
ginally adapted, it is evidently a florid set of the old simple
air of " Willie and Annet,'' which has lately been published
in Albyn's Anthology, under the new title of " Jock of
Hazledean, a ballad written by Sir Walter Scott. As the
curious reader may wish to compare both tunes ; they are
here annexed, note for note, with the first stanza of their
respective verses.
WILLIE AND ANNET.
(^
m
m55'i^
5
/ Liv'd ance twa lu-vers in yon dale. And they luv'd i - ther
5
^^^i^^E^^^^^^^^^^
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*-: V
weel; Frae ev'ning late to morning- aire. Of luving luv'd their
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e
i
3
ss
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£
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fill. Now, Willie, gif you luve me well. As sae it seems tome. Gar
ss
fff=F=f=^-
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m
i
EE^iS
1
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— M-' — r
build, gar build a bonnie schip. Gar build it spee - di - lie.
— P P
bf^e^^
^
396
CCCCXLV.— THE GLANCING OF HEE APRON.
IN JANUARY LAST,
An Anglo-Scottish Song in Durfey's Fond Husband, 1676, reprinted in
Playford's " Choice Ayres" Book Second, London, 1679.
i
t
m
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p^
^^
In Ja - nu - a - - ry last, on Munnonday at morn. As
\mE
P r
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I a - long the fields did pass. To view the winter's corn, I
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3i — •€'■■■ j
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( leaked me be - hind, and I saw come ore the knough, Yan
m
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MZZM.
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i
glenting in her apron, with bonny brent brow.
g^-f^F-^b?"— ^— - ^— ^^- -H-H
{^~zL=hii:ziJ-:\T-'r-^\-^^
The tune to which Durfey's song, as altered by Burns for
the Scots Museum, is adapted, was taken from Thomson's
Orpheus Caledonius (1725,) where the whole verses, as alter-
ed by Ramsay, may likewise be seen. They have since been
reprinted in Herd's Collection, and several others.
CCCCXLVI.
O WALY, WALY!
This is merely the first verse of the old song inserted in
the second volume of the Museum, page 166, adapted to a
different set of the air. With regard to this tune, the Edi-
5
CCCCXLVr O WALY, WALY ! 397
tor observes the following note on the back of the original
manuscript of the music, in the hand-writing of Mr Clarke,
addressed to the publisher. — " If you choose to print this
song, it is right ; but the alterations are little from the other,
and much to the worse in my opinion. I took it down at
the late Glenriddel's desire, and put the bass as it now stands ;
but I thought you had had enough of the poor Captain's
variations before."
CCCCXLVII.
SHE SAYS SHE LO'ES ME BEST OF A\
This song, beginning " Sae flaxen were her ringlets," was
written by Burns for the Museum. The words are adapted
to an Irish tune, entitled OnagJCs Waterfall. Respecting
this tune, Burns, in a letter to Mr Thomson, dated Sept.
1794, says, " The air is charming, and I have often regret-
ted the want of decent verses to it. It is too much, at least
for my humble rustic muse, to expect that every effort of
her's shall have merit ;" still I think, that it is better to have
mediocre verses to a favourite air than none at all. On this
principle I have all along proceeded in the Scots Musical
Museum, and as that pubhcation is at its last volume, I in-
tend the following song to the air above-mentioned, for that
work." [Here follows the song as printed in the Museum.]
CCCCXLVIII.
THE BONNIE LASS THAT MADE THE BED TO ME.
Burns wrote this amatory ballad in imitation of the olden
style. His model was an old ballad, which tradition affirms
to have been composed in an amour of Charles II. with a
young lady of the house of Port-Letham, whilst his Majesty
•was skulking about Aberdeen in the time of the usurpation.
It begins —
There was a lass dwalt in the north,
A bonnie lass of high degree ;
There was a lass whose name was Nell,
A blyther lass you ne'er did see.
O, the bed to me, the bed to me.
The lass that made the bed to me ;
398 CCCCXLVIII. THE BONNIE LASS THAT MADE THE BED.
Blythe and bonnie and fair was she,
The lass that made the bed to me.
&c. &c. &c.
A corrupted version of this ballad, under the title of " The
Cumberland Lass," may be seen in Playford's " Wit and
Mirth," vol. ii. first edition, London 1700 ; but neither the
air nor the words (although the sense is retained) are genu-
ine. Had the delicacy of this old ballad been equal to its
humour, the writer of this article, who has frequently heard
it in his youth, would gladly have inserted it in this work ;
but it is inadmissible, and even Burns'' first draught of the
imitative verses are not altogether unobjectionable. Of this
the bard was afterwards fully sensible, and it is one of those
pieces, which, in his letter to Johnson, he says might be
amended in a subsequent edition. The following version of
the ballad contains the last alterations and corrections of the
bard.
Whan winter's wind was blawing cauld.
As to the North I bent my way,
The mirksome night did me enfauld,
I knew na whare to lodge till day.
A charming girl I chanc'd to meet.
Just in the middle o' my care.
And kindly she did me invite.
Her father's humble cot to share.
Her hair was like the gowd sae fine.
Her teeth were like the ivorie.
Her cheeks like lilies dipt in wine.
The lass that made the bed to me.
Her bosom was the drifted snaw.
Her limbs like marble fair to see ;
A finer form nane ever saw.
Than her's that made the bed to me.
She made the bed baith lang and braid,
Wi' twa white hands she spread it down.
She bade " Gude night," and smiling, said
" I hope ye'll sleep baith saft and soun'."
Upon the morrow, whan I raise,
I thank'd her for her courtesie ;
A blush cam o'er the comely face
Of her that made the bed tp me..
CCCCXLVni. — -THE BONNIE LASS THAT MADE THE BED.
I clasp 'd her waist, and kiss'd her syne ;
The tear stude twinkling in her ee ;
O dearest maid, gin ye'U be mine.
Ye ay sail mak' the bed to me.
Tlie air, to which the verses in the Museum are adapted,
"Nvas communicated by Burns, and is reputed to be very
ancient. The musical reader will observe a remarkable
coincidence between the first four bars of this tune and the
well-known air of " Johnnie Cope." They may possibly be
productions of the same minstrel.
CCCCXLIX.
SAE FAR AWA.
This song, beginning " O sad and heavy should I part,"
was written by Burns for the Museum. The words are
adapted to a Scots measure, or dancing tune, printed in
Aird's Collection, under the title of "Dalkeith Maiden
Bridge." The bard's original manuscript of the sono- is at
present in the Editor's possession. Johnson has committed
a mistake in printing the seventh line of the first stanza,
which mars the sense. In place of " Gin body strength"
it should be " Gie body strength," as in the manuscript.
CCCCL.
PUT THE GOWN UPON THE BISHOP.
This is a mere fragment of one of these satirical and fre-
quently obscene old songs, composed in ridicule of the
Scottish Bishops, about the period of the reformation. The
tune and title are preserved in the Collections of Macgibbon,
Oswald, and several others.
CCCCLI.
Hallow Fair — THERE'S FOUTH 0' BRAW JOCKIES AND JENNYS.
This humorous song was written, and communicated by
Robert Ferguson to David Herd, who published it after the
poet''s decease, in the second volume of his Collection, in 1 7'76.
Hallow Fair is held annually at Edinburgh, after the win-
ter Sacrament in November. The verses in the Museum
are adapted to an old tune called " Wally Honey," taken
400 CCCCLI. — HALLOW FAIR, &C.
from Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion, Book vii.
page 6.
CCCCLII.
I'LL NEVER LOVE THEE MORE.
This song, beginning " My dear and only love I pray,"
was written by James Graham, the celebrated Marquis of
Montrose, whose great bravery, military talents, and fidelity
to his sovereign, Charles I. during the latter period of his
reign, place him on a level with the most renowned heroes of
antiquity. In his latter days, however, like his royal master,
he experienced a sad reverse of fortune. After a gallant but
fruitless resistance against Colonel Strachan, an officer of the
Scottish Parliament, he took refuge in a remote part of the
estate of Macleod of Assint ; but Macleod basely betrayed
and delivered him up to General Leshe, his most bitter enemy.
After a mock trial, for what was called treason, he was con-
demned to death by the very Parliament who had acknow-
ledged Charles as their lawful king, and under whose com-
mission and orders he had acted. This gallant nobleman was
accordingly executed at Edinburgh, with every mark of in-
dignity and revenge that the malice and cruelty of his ene-
mies could suggest, on the 21st May 1650.
The verses in the Museum, though abundantly long for
any ordinary song, are only the Jirst part of Montrose's bal-
lad ; but the curious reader will find the whole of it in Wat-
son's Collection, Book iii. printed at Edinburgh in 1711,
or in Herd's Collection, so often referred to, in 1776.
The words in the Museum are adapted to the ancient tune
of " Chevy Chace."
CCCCLIII.
MY FATHER HAS FORTY GOOD SHILLINGS.
Mb Ritson informs us, that there is an old English bal-
lad, in the black letter, entitled " The Maiden's sad Com-
plaint for want of a Husband ; to the new west country tune,
or, Hogh, when shaU I be married.? By L. W.;" the first,
second, and fifth stanzas whereof (for there are fourteen in
CCCCLIII. MY FATHER HAS FORTY GOOD SHILLINGS. 401
all) are either taken from, or have given rise to, the present
song. To enable the reader to judge for himself, Mr Ritson
annexes the following stanzas, which are copied from his
work.
O WHEN shall I be married,
Hogh, be married?
My beauty begins to decay :
*Tis time to find out somebody,
Hogh, somebody,
Before it is quite gone away.
My father hath forty good shillings,
Hogh, good shillings,
And never a daughter but me :
My mother is also willing,
Hogh, so willing.
That I shall have all if she die.
My mother she gave me a ladle,
Hogh, a ladle.
And that for the present lies by :
My aunt she hath promised a cradle,
Hogh, a cradle,
When any man with me doeS lie.
From the peculiar metre of the third and sixth lines of the
second stanza, however, the old black letter ballad quoted by
Ritson would appear to have been originally of Scottish ori-
gin, for the word die is never pronounced dee in England as it
is in Scotland ; and, moreover, the old tune, which is well
known in Scotland, had eluded every research of this diligent
antiquarian.
CCCCLIV.
OUR GOODMAN CAME HAME AT E'EN.
The words of this extremely curious old ballad were re-
covered by David Herd, and printed in his Collection in 1 776.
Johnson, the publisher of the Museum, after several unavail-
ing researches, was at length informed, that an old man of
the name of Geikie, a hair-dresser in the Candlemaker-row,
Edinburgh, sung the verses charmingly, and that the tune
was uncommonly fine. Accordingly, he and his friend Mr
Clarke took a step to Geikie's lodgings, and invited him to an
402 CCCCLIV. OUR GOODMAN CAME HAME AT e'kX.
inn to crack a bottle with them. They soon made him very
merry ; and on being requested to favour them with the song,
he readily complied, and sung it with great glee. Mr Clarke
immediately took down the notes, and arranged the song for
the Museum, in which work the words and music first ap-
peared together in print. Mr Anderson, music engraver in
Edinburgh, who served his apprenticeship with Mr Johnson,
informs me, that Geikie died about four days after the tune
was taken down.
Ritson copied the words from Herd's into his own Collec-
tion ; but he could not discover the music when that work was
printed in 1794.
CCCCLV.
SIR JOHN MALCOLM.
This curious, ironical, and burlesque old song, beginning
«' O keep ye weel frae Sir John Malcolm," was recovered by
Yair, and printed in the second volume of his " Charmer"" in
1751. It also appears in Herd's Collection in 1776. The
tune is to be found in Aird's Collection, and several others.
It is evidently the same melody with that called *' O fare ye
weel my auld Wife." See the song, No 354, in the fourth
volume of the Museum.
The song is said to have been composed on a former Ba-
ronet of Lochore and his friend Mr Don, who, it is alleged,
rather annoyed their bottle companions with the history of
their adventures after the glass began to circulate.
CCCCLVI.
MY BONNY LIZAE BAILLIE.
This old ballad appears in Herd's Collection in ] 776, with
the following introductory stanza, which was omitted in the
Museum,
" Lizae Baillie's to Gartantan gane
To see her sister Jean,
And there she's met wi' Duncan Graeme,
And he's convoy'd her hame."
The charming old simple melody of one strain, to which
the verses are adapted in the Museum, was communicated by
CCCCLVI. MY BONNV LIZAE «A1LL1£. 4:03
Burns. It is the genuine original air of the song, which has
long been a favourite at every farmer's fireside in Scotland.
The words and music never appeared together in print, how-
ever, until the publication of the Museum. Many other
beautiful old airs, and fragments of their original words, still
remain uncollected, but continue to be handed down from
one generation to another by oral communication. Several
of these are well deserving of publication.
CCCCLVII.
THE REEL OF STUMPIE.
This fine lively old reel tune wanted words, and Burns
supplied the two stanzas, beginning " Wap and row the feetie
o't," inserted in the Museum. The tune maybe found in the
Collections of Aird, Gow, and many others. The Reel of
Stumpie was formerly called " Jocky has gotten a Wife,"" and.
was selected by Mr Charles Coffey for one of his songs, be-
ginning " And now I am once more set free," in the opera of
" The Female Parson, or Beau in the Suds," acted at Lon-
don 1730.
CCCCLVIII.
I'LL AY CA' IN BY YON TOWN.
This song, as well as the other, beginning " O wat ye wha's
in yon town," were both written by Burns for the Museum,
the original manuscript of which are in the Editor's possession.
Both of the songs were composed in honour of " His Jean,"
afterwards Mrs Burns. They are adapted to the fine old air
called " I'll gang nae mair to yon Town," which was the first
line of an old ballad that began thus —
" I'll gang nae mair to yon town,
O, never a' my life again ;
I'll ne'er gae back to yon town
To seek anither wife again."
The tune appears in Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Compa-
nion under the title of " I'll gae nae mair to yon Town," and
in Aird's First Book it is called " We'll gang nae mair to yon
Town." This air was introduced as a rondo, with variations,
404 ccccLviii. — I'll ay ca' in by yon town.
in a Violin Concerto, composed by the late Mr Girolamo Sta-
bilini, and performed by him at Edinburgh with great ap-
plause. It has likewise been arranged as a lesson, with va-
riations for the piano-forte, by Butler, and several other mu-
sicians.
CCCCLIX.
WILL YE GO AND MARRY, KATIE ?
This ballad was furnished by Burns for the Museum.
The words are adapted to an old reel, printed in Bremner's
Collection in 1764, entitled " Will ye go and marry, Kettie ?"
At the foot of his manuscript. Burns, in a note to Johnson,
says, " You will find this tune in Neil Gow's, and several other
Collections. The bard alludes to Gow's Second Collection of
Strathspeys, Reels, &c. in which the tune appears under the
name of " Marry Ketty."
CCCCLX.
BLUE BONNETS,
This fine old pastoral air appears in the modern part of
Mrs Crockat's Manuscript Music-book, dated 1 709, under the
title of " Blew Bonnetts." It is also printed in Macgibbon
and Oswald's Collections.
As the old words could not be found. Burns wrote two
songs to the tune ; the first begins " Wherefore sighing art
thou, Phillis ?" and the second, " Powers;_celestial ! whose pro-
tection." Both songs are printed in the Museum. In a note
to Johnson, Burns says, " See Macgibbon's Collection, where
you will find the tune. Let this song follow, < Wherefore
sighing art thou, Phillis ?' "
In any future edition of the Museum, the title of the song
should be " Wherefore Sighing," or " Powers Celestial,''
written by Burns to the tune of " Blue Bonnets ;" because
the present title has no relation whatever to the words of ei-
ther of the songs.
CCCCLXI.
THE BROOM BLOOMS BONNY.
This fragment of an ancient sonsr, besrinninff " It's whis-
CCCCLXI. THE BKOOM BLOOMS BONNY. 405
per'd in parlour, it's whisper'd in ha," together with the ele-
gant original little air of one strain, to which the words are
adapted, were recovered by Burns, and transmitted to John-
son for his Museum. This song is to be found in no other
work,
CCCCLXII.
THE RANTIN LADDIE.
This old ballad, beginning " Aften hae I play'd at cards
and the dice," as well as the original air, were also communi-
cated by Burns to the publisher of the Museum, The chasm
which appears near the conclusion of the ballad ought to be
filled up, by restoring the two following lines : —
As to gar her sit in father's kitchen neuk.
And balow a bastard babie.
Johnson, in place of the word balota, (that is, to hush or sing"
to sleep), has printed it belozv. This error destroys the sense,
and should therefore be corrected.
CCCCLXIII.
THE LASS THAT WINNA SIT DOWN.
The humorous song, beginning " What think ye o' the
scornfu' quine ?" was written and composed by the late Mr
Alexander Robertson, engraver, Edinburgh, who for a long
time played the music bells of the High Church in that city.
He likewise for many years engraved most of the landscapes
which embellished the Edinburgh Magazine. The words
are adapted to the " Orchall Strathspey" in Aird's Collection,
vol. iii. p. 193.
CCCCLXIV.
0 MAY, THY MORN,
This song was written by Burns for the Museum. The
air was likewise communicated by the bard; but it is evidently
a slight variation of the ancient tune called " Andro and his
Cutty Gun," inserted in a former part of the work. Burns'
manuscripts of the music and words are in the Editor's pos-
session.
405
CCCCLXV,
MY MINNIE SAYS I MANNA.
This air is taken from Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Com-
panion, where it is inserted under the title of " My Mother
says I maun not.'' Dr Pepush arranged this tune as the me-
lody of one of Gay's songs in " The Beggar's Opera," 1728,
to be sung by Polly, beginning " I like a ship in storms was
tost." Another English song, to the same tune, appears in
the sixth volume of the Pills, edited by T. Durfey, in 1719.
The words in the Museum are only a fragment of the old
Scottish song, which is rather a coarse one, and on that ac-
count Johnson would not insert any more of it. The air,
however, well merits good verses.
CCCCLXVI.
THE CHERRIE AND THE SLAE.
Time — " The Banks of Helicon."
This very singular ballad, beginning " About ane bank,
with balmy bewis," was written by Captain Alexander Mont-
gomery, who is denominated by Lord Hailes, as " The ele-
gant author of the Cherrie and Slae." This ballad was
written prior to the year 1568, as it is inserted in the Banna-
tyne Manuscript, compiled of that date, now in the Advo-
cates' Library, Edinburgh. Captain Montgomery married
the youngest daughter of Hugh, third Earl of Eglinton.
His poetical talents procured him the patronage and friend-
ship of his sovereign James VI. who was pleased to notice
some of his verses, and this ballad in particular, in a work
pvibUshed by its royal author in 1584, under the title of
" The Essayes of a Prentise in the Divine Art of Poetry.
The period of Mongomery's death is uncertain, though it is
supposed he died about the year 1600. Most of his poetical
compositions are preserved in the Bannatyne Manuscript.
There is, likewise, a manuscript volume of his poems in the
College Library of Edinburgh.
The ingenious Mr Tyder, in his " Dissertation on Scot-
tish Song," observes, that the Cherrie and the Slae, as well
6
CCCCLXVI THE CHEKRIE AND THE SLAE. 407
as a poem of Sir Richard Maitland of Letbington, father of
the famous Secretary Maitland, ancestor of the Earls of Lau-
derdale, is directed to be sung to the tune of " The Banks
of Helicon." " This must have been a well-known tune,"
he continues, " upwards of two hundred years ago, as it was
sung to such popular words; but it is now lost. It cannot
exist in other words, as the metrical stanza of ' The Cherrie
and the Slae' is so particular, that I know of no air at this
day that could be adapted to it.""
Mr Tytler, however, was not correct in asserting the tune
to be lost, for it is preserved in several old manuscripts. In
one of the volumes of Thomas Wode's manuscript of the
Psalms of David, set to music in four parts by Andrew
Blackhall, Andrew Kemp, Dean John Angus, and others,
in the College Library of Edinburgh, which was mostly
transcribed between the years 1560 and 1566 (as is instruct-
ed by anotbpr vnlnmp of the same work, belonging to Mr
Blackwood, bookseller in Edinburgh), the counter-tenor part
of this tune is inserted near the end, under the title of
" About the Bankis of Helicon — Blakehall ;" and in another
manuscript of the same period, now in the Editor's posses-
sion, there is a copy of the tenor part of the tune, under the
same title.
This Andrew Blakehall (or Blackhall, for his name is
variously spelled), appears to have been an eminent musician.
Several of his " Gude ballats" are inserted in the manuscripts
alluded to. He is designated " Minister of God's word at
Mussleburgh." The transcriber, Thomas Wode, styles him-
self " Vicar of Sauctaudious.'" Another copy of the tune
" About the Bankis of Helicon," is preserved in a manuscript
which formerly belonged to the Rev. Mr Cranstoun, minister
of Ancrum, Roxburghshire, and afterwards to Dr John
Leyden. A printed copy of the music likewise appears in
Campbell's Introduction to the History of Poetry in Scot-
land, Edinburgh 1798, and another in Sibbald's Chronicle
of Scottish Poetry, vol. iii. Edinburgh 1802. These two
% G
408
CCCCLXVI. — THE CHERRIE AND THE SLAE.
printed copies agree with the old manuscript almost note for
note, but the tune in the museum is that handed down by
oral communication. The reader is here presented with a
genuine copy of the music, in modern notation, but crotchets
and quavers are substituted for the lozenge-shaped minums
and crotchets in the manuscript, and bars are introduced for
dividing the measure, which are omitted in the ancient copies.
THE BANKS OF HELICON.
From a MS. in 1566.
-s r
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m
Declare, ye banks of He-li-con, Par-nas-sus hill and
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daills ilk oue. And touniaiu <Ja - bel - lein, Gif o-ny of your
iz:3
Muses all. Or Nymphis, may be pe-re-gall Un - to my la-dy
»
^^^
^^
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schein; Or if tlie la-dies that did lave Their bo-dies by your
mi
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brim. So selmlie wer, or yet so suave. So beau- ti-ful or
Si
CCCCLXVI.— THE CHERRIE AND THE SLAE.
409
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No, no. Forsuith wes never none
That with this perfect paragon.
In bewtie might compair.
The Muses wald have given the greef
I'd her, as to the A per see,
And peirles perle preclair.
Thinking with admiration
fier persone so perfyte.
Nature irl hir creatioun^
To form hir tuik delyte.
Confess then, express then
Your nymphes and all thair race.
For bewtie, of dewtie
Sould yield and give hir place.
This poem was probably composed on the beautiful but
unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots. It would exceed our
limits to give the whole words, consisting of nine additional
stanzas in the same hyperbolic style ; but the original is pre-
served in the Pepys* Collection in the University of Cam-
bridge. The poem may also be seen in Pinkerton's Maitland
Collection, and in Sibbald's Chronicle of Scottish Poetry,
with the Musical Notes, vol. iii. p. 185 et seq.
CCCCLXVII.
AS I CAME O'ER THE CAIRNEY MOUNT.
The first stanza of this song is old, the second stanza was
written by Burns, and Johnsoii, accordingly, marked it with
the letter Z, to shew that it was an old song with addition*
410 ccccLxvir. — as i came o'er the cairney mount.
7^
or alteratiojjs. The words are adapted to an air taken from
Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion, book i, page 12th,
entitled " The Highland Lassie."
In the ReliqueSy Burns says, " Another Highland Laddie
is also in the Museum, vol. v. which I take to be Ramsay's
original, as he has borrowed the chorus ' O my bonnie High-
land lad, &c.' It consists of three stanzas, besides the chorus,
and has humour in its composition ; — it is an excellent, but
somewhat licentious, song. It begins.
As I cam o'er the Cairney mounts
And down amang the blooming heather, &c.
This air, and the common Highland Laddie, seem only to
be different sets.''''
Our bard, however, was mistaken in supposing the air of
this song to be Ramsay's original Highland Laddie. The
Highland Laddie, to which Ramsay's words and the old
chorus are adapted, is printed in The Orpheus Caledonius,
1725. It consists of one simple strain, as has been mentioned
in a former part of this work, and is now annexed.
THE AULD HIGHLAND LADDIE.
■js2c
ara
1
-Tfi ~ — *— ■■ ' Kf —
O MY bou-ule bon-nie High-land lad-die, O my
^a
s^E
i^
^ft-rir-f^--^—-^
^.ij_._,._i^ :&=_,- zE=5„=^j=iS,..
bonnie bonnie Highland lad-die; When I was sick, and like to
£
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i^iiiigaa
die. He row'd me in his Highland plaidy.
Q p—
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CCCCLXVII. AS I CAME o'kH THE CAlllNEY MOUNT. 411
The verses written by Ramsay are inserted in the first
volume of the Museum, pages 22, and 23 ; but the reader*
upon comparing the airs of the old " Highland Laddie," and
" As I came o'er the Cairney Mount/' will easily see that
they are quite different tunes.
CCCCLXVIII.
THE HIGHLAND LADDIE.
This song, beginning " The bonniest lad that ere I saw,"
was compiled by Burns from some Jacobite verses, entitled
" The Highland Lad and LaA^land Lassie,"*' printed in the
celebrated " Collection of Loyal Songs, Poems, &c, 1750."
The original verses are annexed ; and, upon comparing these
with the words in the Museum, the reader will at once dis-
cover the share that Burns had in this remodelled song.
THE HIGHLAND LAD AND LAWLAND LASSIE.
(a dialogue.)
Tune " If thoti'lt play me fair play.''*
1.
The cannons roar and trumpets sound,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie.
And a' the hills wi' Charles resound,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
Glory, honour, now invite,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie.
For freedom and my king to fight,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
2.
In vain you strive to sooth my pain,
Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie.
With that much long'd for glorious name.
Bonny Highland laddie.
I too, fond maid, gave you a heart,
Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie,
With which you now so freely part,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
3.
No passion can with me prevail,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie.
When king and country's in the scale,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
Though this conflict in my soul,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassif,
Tells me love too much does rule,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
412 CCCCLXVIII.— THE HIGHLAND LADDIE.
4.
Ah ! dull pretence— I'd sooner dje.
Bonny laddie, Highland laddie.
Than see you thus inconstant fly,
Bonnie Highland laddie ;
And leave me to th' insulting crew,
Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie,
Of Whiggs to mock for trusting you,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
&.
Tho', Jenny, I my leave maun take,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie,
I never wiU my love forsake,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
Be now content — ^no more repine,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie,
For James shall reign, and ye'se be mine,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
6.
■^hile thus abandon'd to my smart,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie,
To one more fair ye'U give your heart,
Bonnie Highland laddie ;
And what stiU gives me greater pain,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie,
Death may for ever you detain,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
7.
None else shall ever have a share,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie,
But you and honour, of my care,
Bonnie Laiuland lassie.
And death no terror e'er can bring,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie.
While I am fighting for my king,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
8.
The sun a backward course shall take,
Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie.
Ere ought thy manly courage shake,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
My fondness shall no more controul,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie^
Your generous and heroic soul,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
9.
Your charms and sense, your noble mind,
Bonnie lassie, Laiuland lassie,
Wou'd make the most abandon'd kind,
Bonnie LC'Wlund lassie.
CCCCLXVIII.— THE HIGHLAND LADDIE. 413
For you and Charles I'd freely fight,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie,
No object else can give delight,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
10. :::•
Go, for yourself procure renown,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie.
And for your lawful king his crown,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
And when victorious, you shall find,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie,
A Jenn^ constant to your mind,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
Another Jacobite song, to the same tune, appears m the
work just quoted, which we also annex for the gratification of
such as are curious in these matters.
" IF THOU'LT PLAY ME FAIR PLAY."
1.
If thou'lt play me fair play,
Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie.
Another year for thee I'll stay,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
For a' the lasses hereabouts,
Bonnie laddie. Highland la ddie,
Marry none but Geordie's louts,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
2.
The time shall come when their bad choice,
B onnie laddie, Highland laddie.
They will repent, and we rejoice,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
I'd take thee in thy Highland trews,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie.
Before the rogues that wear the blues,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
3.
Our torments from no cause do spring,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie.
But fighting for our lawful king,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
Our king's reward will come in time,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie.
And constant Jenny shall be thine,
Bonnie Highland laddie.
414 ccccLxvin. — tuk highlakd laddie,
4.
There's no distress that earth can bring,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie.
But I'd endure for our true king,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
And were my Jenny but my own,
Bonnie lassie, Lawland lassie,
I'd undeiTalue Geordie's crown,
Bonnie Lawland lassie.
The air to which the foregoing songs are adapted is very
spirited. It appears without a name in Oswald's Caledonian
Pocket Companion, book i. page 36, under a slow air called
" The Highland Laddie." But the old appellation of the
air was " Cockle Shells," and was known in England during
the usurpation of Cromwell, for it is printed in Playford's
" Dancing Master," first edition, in 1657. The Jacobites,
as has already been observed, composed no new tunes, but
adapted their songs to such airs as were well-known favourites
of the public.
In the Pteliques, Burns, alluding to this tune, says, " a-
nother Highland Laddie, also in the Museum, vol. v. is the
tune of several Jacobite fragments. One of these old songs
to it only exists, as far as I know, in these four lines :
" Whare hae ye been a' day,
Bonnie laddie, Highland laddie,
Down the back o' Bell's brae,
Courtin' Maggie, courtin' Maggie."
CCCCLXIX.
CHRONICLE OF THE HEART.
This ballad, beginning " How often my heart has been
by love overthrown," was written by the Rev. Dr Thomas
Blacklock. The verses are adapted to the tune called
" Gingling Geordie," which seems to be an old Highland
pibroch. Indeed, it has such a striking resemblance to the air
published in Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion, under
the title of " Pioberachd Mhic Dhoniul," and lately reprint-
ed with variations in Albyn's Anthology, vol. i. with the
title of « Pibroch of Donald Dubh," that there can scarcely
be a doubt as to the locality of the air.
415
CCCCLXX.
WILT THOU BE MY DEARIE ?
This charming little song Avas written by Burns for the
Museum. It is adapted to the first strain of an old strath-
spey, called " The Souter's Daughter." Burns, in a note
annexed to the words says, " tune The Souter's Daugliter
N.B. — It is only the first part of the tune to which the
song is to be set."
The Souter s Daughter is printed in Bremner's Collection
of Reels, in 1764. It also appears in Niel Gow and Son's
Collection, and in several others.
CCCCLXXI.
LOVELY POLLY STEWART.
This song, beginning " O Lovely Polly Stewart," was
written by Burns for the Museum. The words are adapted
to an old favourite tune, called " Miss Stewart's Reel," to
which some Jacobite verses, written about the year 1748,
were adapted when the tune received the new name of
"You're Welcome Charlie Stewart." These verses were
printed in the Collection of Loyal Songs, Poems, &c. 1750,
and are now annexed to give the reader an idea of the spirit
of those times.
CHORUS.
You're welcome, Charlie Stewart,
You're welcome, Charlie Stewart,
Youre welcome, Charlie Stewart,
There's iione so right as thou art.
Had I the power as I've the will,
I'd make thee famous by my quill.
Thy foes I'd scatter, take, and kill,
From Billingsgate to Duart.
You're welcome, S^c,
Thy sympathising complaisance
Slade thee believe intriguing France ;
But woe is me for thy mischance !
Which saddens every true heart.
Youre ivelcome, Sjc-
Hadst thou Culloden battle won.
Poor Scotland had not been undone.
Nor butcher'd been with sword and gun
By Lockhart and such cowards.
You're welcome, Sjc.
416 CCCCLXXI.— LOVELY POLLY STEWABX.
Kind Providence, to thee a friend,
A lovely maid did timely send.
To save thee from a fearful end.
Thou charming Charlie Stewart.
You're welcome, S^c,
Great glorious prince, we firmly pray.
That she and we may see the day.
When Britons all with joy shall say.
You're welcome Charlie Stewart.
You're welcome, 6^c.
Though Cumberland, the tyrant proud,
Doth thirst and hunger after blood.
Just Heaven wUl preserve the good
To fight for Charlie Stewart.
You're welcome, S^c.
When e'er I take a glass of wine,
I drink confusion to the swine ;
But health to him that will combine
To fight for Charlie Stewart.
You're welcome, S^c.
The ministry may Scotland maul.
But our brave hearts they'll ne'er enthrall ;
We'll fight like Britons, one and all.
For liberty and Stewart.
You're welcome, S^c.
Then haste, ye Britons, and set on
Your lawful king vipon the throne ;
To Hanover we'll drive each one
Who will not fight for Stewart.
You're welcome, ^x.
CCCCLXXII.
THE HIGHLAND BALOW.
This curious song, beginning " Hee balow, my sweet wee
Donald," is a versification, by Burns, of a Gaelic nursery
song, the literal import of which, as weU as the air, were com-
municated to him by a Highland lady. The bard's original
manuscript is in the Editor's possession.
Cromek, in his " Select Scottish Songs," vol. i. p. 73, has
copied this song without acknowledgment from the Museum ;
and he thus introduces it to his readers : — " The time when
the moss-troopers and cattle-drivers on the borders began
5
CCCCLXXII.— THE HIGHLAND BALOW. 417
their nightly depredations, was the first Michaelmas moon.
Cattle-stealing formerly was a mere foraging expedition ; and
it has been remarked, that many of the best families in the
north can trace their descent from the daring sons of the
mountains. The produce (by way of dowry to a laird's
daughter) of a Michaelmas-moon is proverbial ; and, by the
aid of Lochiel's lanthorn, (the moon,) these exploits were the
most desirable things imaginable. Nay, to this day a High-
lander, that is not a sturdy moralist, does not deem it a very
great crime to lift (such is the phrase) a sheep now and then.
If the reader be curious to contemplate one of these heroes in
the cradle, he may read the following Highland balow or nur-
sery song. It is wildly energetic, and strongly characteristic
of the rude and uncultivated manners of the Border Islands."
Hee, balow, my sweet wee Donald,
Picture of the great Clanronald ;
Brawlie kens our wanton chief
Wha got my young Highland thief.
Leeze me on thy bumiit; cragie,
An thou live, thou'U steal a nagie;
Travel the country thro' and thro'.
And bring hame a Carlisle cow.
Thro' the lawlands, o'er the border,
Weel, my babie, may thou furder —
Herry the lowns o' the laigh countrie,
Syne to the Highlands hame to me.
CCCCLXXIII.
AULD KING COUL.
This humorous old ballad appears in Herd's Collection, in
1776, under the title of " Old King Coul." The version in
the Museum was furnished by Burns. It is, however, almost
verbatim the same as Herd's copy. Auld King Coul was the
fabled father of the giant Fyn M'Coule. The following ac-
count of this latter personage is given by Hector Boetius,
as translated by Bellendyne : — " It is said, that Fyn Mac-
CouLE, the sonne of Coelus, Scottisman, was in thir days
(of Kykg Eugenius, fiith century) ane man ofhugesta-
418 CCCCLXXIII. AULD KING COUL.
ture, of seventeen cubits hycht. He was ane gret hunter,
rycht terrybill for his huge quantitie to the pepyll, of quhom
ar many vulgar Juhyllis amang us, nocht unlyke to thir fa-
bylUs that ar rehersit of Kyng Arthure. But becaus his
dedis is nocht authorist by autentic authoris, I will rehers
nathyng thairof, bot declare the remanent gestis of Kyng
EUGENIUS."
Bishop Lesley's account (anno 1570) is in these words : —
*' Multorum opinio est, Finnanum quondam, Coeli filium,
nostra lingua Fyn-Mac-Coul dictum, ingentis magnitudinis
virum, ea tempeste (A. D. 430) apud nostras vixisse, et tan-
quam ex veterum gigantum stirpe exortum."
The reader will find a curious description of the great Fyn
MacCoule and his gigantic wife, in Sir David Lindsay's in-
terlude of the Droichs. It is the very quintessence of absur-
dity. The following verse of it may suffice. Of Fyn Mac-
Coule, it is said —
He had a wyfe was mekile of cliftj
Hir heid was helohar nor the lyft ;
The hevin rerdit when she wad rift ;
The lass wes nathing schlender.
Scho spatt Loch Lowmond with her lippis ;
Thunder and fire flawght flew fra her hippis,
Quhan scho was crabbit, the sone/^thol'd clippis, /^
The feynd durst nocht offend her.
The well-knoM'n English song of " Four-and-twenty Fid-
dlers all in a Row," which first appeared in the sixth volume
of the " Pills," in 1712, is evidently a parody of this bal-
lad of Auld King Coul.
CCCCLXXIV.
THE RINAWAY BRIDE.
This comic song, beginning " A laddie and a lassie dwelt
in the south countrie,'' is preserved in Yair's Collection, vol.
ii. Edinburgh, 1751, and in Herd's Collection, 1776. The
lively air to which the words are adapted, was communicated
to Mr Clarke by a gentleman from Roxburghshire, who sung
the song with great humour and spirit.
419
CCCCLXXV.
BANNOCKS 0' BEAR-MEAL.
This fine old tune was originally called " The Killogie ;""
but the words beginning " A lad and a lassie lay in a Killo-
gie," are inadmissible. In 1688, Lord Newbottle, eldest son
of William Ker, Earl of Lothian, afterwards created Earl of
Ancram and Marquis of Lothian, wrote a satirical song on
the Revolution, which was adapted to the same air. It was
called " Cakes of Crowdy." A copy of this curious produc-
tion may be seen in the first volume of Hogg's Jacobite Re-
liques. Another song to the same tune, beginning " Ban-
nocks of bear-meal and bannocks of barley," is still sung, but
it possesses little merit. Burns wrote the stanzas in the Mu-
seum in the Jacobite style, in which he interwove the latter
title of the song with the new words.
Cromek, in his " Nithsdale and Galloway Songs,"" has the
following remark : — " In the Scots Musical Museum there
is but one verse and a half preserved of this song. One is
surprised and incensed, to see so many fine songs shorn of
their very best verses for fear they should exceed the bounds
of a page. The editor (Cromek) has collected the two last
heart-rousing verses, which he believes will complete the
song." Here they are :
And claw'd their back at Falkirk's fairly,
Wha but the lads wi' the bannocks of barley ?
Wha, when hope was blasted fairly.
Stood in ruin wi' bonnie Prince Charlie,
An' 'neath the Duke's bluidy paws dreed fu' sairly,
Wha but the lads wi' the bannocks o' barley ?
If Cromek, or his Nithsdale friends who furnished him with
the old songs for that work, had only looked into the Mu-
seum, they would have observed, that the chorus is repeated
to the Jirst strain of the air, and the two remaining lines to
the last, — so that Burns' words are quite complete, and re-
420 CCCCLXXV.— BANNOCKS O* BEARMEAL.
quire the tune to be sung twice over* Nay more, they would
have discovered that there was plenty of room on the plate,
had Burns chosen to write a verse or two more. It is there-
fore to be hoped, for the credit of our bard, that his verses
will never be united to the trash that Cromek has endeavour-
ed to palm upon the country as the remnant of what he calls
a heart-rousing old song.
It is a curious fact, that Oswald has inadvertently copied
the air twice in his Caledonian Pocket Companion. In the
third volume of that work, it is printed under the title of
*' Bannocks of Bear-meal ;" and, in the sixth volume, it
again appears under the name of " There was a Lad and a
Lass in a Killogie," from the first line of the old indelicate
words alluded to.
CCCCLXXVI.
WAE IS MY HEART.
This simple old air of one strain was recovered by Burns,
and transmitted to the Editor of the Museum, alongst with
the three beautiful stanzas written by himself, to which the
tune is adapted. The original manuscripts of the melody,
and Burns' verses to it, are in the possession of the Editor.
CCCCLXXVII.
THERE WAS A SILLY SHEPHERD SWAIN.
This old ballad was taken from Herd's Ancient and Mo-
dern Songs, vol. ii, Edinburgh, 1776. In the third volume
of Play ford's Wit and Mirth, first edition, in 1702, there is a
ballad, beginning " There was a knight, and he was young,"
in which, though the hero is of higher degree than the silly
shepherd swain in the Scottish ballad, yet the leading inci-
dents, and even some of the stanzas, are so similar, that the
one must have been borrowed from the other. For instance.
There was a knight, and he was young,
A riding along the way. Sir,
And there he met a lady fair
Among the cocks of hay. Sir.
CCCCLXXVlr.— THERE WAS A SILLY SHEPHERD SWAIN. 421
So he mounted her upon a milk-white steed
Himself upon another ;
And then they rid upon the road
Like sister and like brother.
And when she came to her father's house.
Which was moated round about^ Sir,
She stepped straight within the gate.
And shut this young knight out. Sir.
If you meet a lady fair
As you go by the hill. Sir,
If you will not when you may.
You shall not when you will. Sir.
The English ballad is adapted to the old Scottish tune caU
led « Boyne Water."
CCCCLXXVIII.
KIND ROBIN L0E8 ME.
The words of this song, beginning " Robin is my only
jo,'" are taken from Herd's Ancient and Modern Songs, print-
ed in 1776. There is a much older set of verses to the same
air, however, but they are not quite fit for insertion.
In the " Scotch Presbyterian Eloquence," which was writ-
ten in the year 1692, it is said, that Mr James Kirkton, in
October last, preaching on hymns and spiritual songs, told
the people — there be four kinds of songs — profane songs, ma-
lignant, allowable, and spiritual songs ; as.
My mother sent me to the well —
She had better gane hersell ;
For what I gat I darna tell.
But kind Robin loes me.
This author of the Presbyterian Eloquence, however, was
incorrect in giving these four lines as a verse of " Kind
Robin loes me," for the three first lines belong to an old
song called " Whistle o'er the Lave o't," which may be seen
422 ' ccccLxxvni. — kixd robin loes me.
in Herd's Collection above referred to. The old words of
" Kind Robin loes me" begin thus :
Hech hey ! Robin, quo' she,
Hech hey ! Robin, quo' she.
Heck hey ! Robin, quo' she,
Kind Robin loes me.
Robin, Robin, let me be
Until I win the nourrice fee ; ^
And I will spend it a' wi' thee.
For kind Robin loes me.
&c. &c. &c.
The following beautiful verses to the same tune, which is
one of our best melodies, were published in the " Vocal Ma-
gazine," printed by Charles Stewart and Co. at Edinburgh
in 1798.
1.
Come all ye souls devoid of art.
Who take in virtue's cause a part.
And give me joy of Robin's heart.
For kind Robin lo'es me.
0 happy, happy was the hour
And blest the dear delightful bow'r.
Where first I felt love's gentle pow'r.
And knew that Robin lo'ed me.
2.
O witness ev'ry bank and brae !
Witness, ye streams, that thro' them play !
And ev'ry field and meadow gay.
That kind Robin lo'es me !
Tell it, ye birds, from ev'ry tree !
Breathe it, ye winds, o'er Uka lea !
Ye waves, proclaim from sea to sea.
That kind Robin lo'es me !
3.
The winter's cot, the summer's shield.
The freezing snaw, the flow'ry field.
Alike to me true pleasures yield.
Since kind Robin lo'es me.
For warld's gear I'll never pine.
Nor seek in gay attire to shine ;
A kingdom's mine if Robin's mine.
The lad that truly lo'es me.
423
CCCCLXXIX.
WE'LL PUT THE SHEEP HEAD IN THE PAT.
This is merely a fragment of an old silly ballad, which
was printed in the sixth volume of " Wit and Mirth," Lon-
don 1712. It consists of six stanzas, beginning " Poor San-
dy had marry'd a wife ;"" but they are not worth the tran-
scribing.
CCCCLXXX.
HERE'S HIS HEALTH IN WATER.
This short song, of two stanzas, beginning " Although my
back be at the wa'," was written by Burns. The words are
adapted to a tune, called " The Job of Journey Work," in
Aird's Collection, vol. iii. The song has a jocular allusion
to the situation of Mrs Burns previous to her marriage with
the bard. See Currie's Life of Burns, vol. i.
CCCCLXXXI.
THE MAID GAED TO THE MILL.
This foolish song was copied from Herd's Collection, and
adapted to the old air of " John Anderson, my Jo." Many
similar double-meaning ditties occur in Playford's Wit and
Mirth, and Herd's version seems to have been compiled from
one of them.
CCCCLXXXII.
SIR PATRICK SPENS.
This fine old ballad, beginning " The King sits in Dum-
fermline town," has been a favourite in Scotland for many
generations. Bishop Percy, in his " Reliques of Ancient
English Poetry," vol. i. printed in 1765, published a copy
of it under the title of " Sir Patrick Spence, a Scottish bal-
lad, from two M.S. copies transmitted from Scotland." " In
what age (continues this learned editor) the hero of this bal-
lad lived, or when this fatal expedition happened, that proved
so destructive to the Scots nobles, I have not been able to
9 H
4£4 OCCCLXXXII. SIE PATRICK SPENS,
discover ; yet am of opinion that their catastrophe is not al-
together without foundation in history, though it has escaped
my observation.'' Percys lieliques, vol. i. p 71.
Though history is silent respecting some incidents of the
ballad, uniform tradition is not. Alexander III. of Scotland,
(whose favourite residence was at Dunfermline,) having the
misfortune, before his decease, to lose his queen and all his
children, assembled a parliament at Scoone in 1284, when it
was settled, that, in the event of his death, the crown of Scot-
land should descend to his grand-daughter Margaret, styled
by historians, " The Maid of Norway," who was the only
child of Eric, King of Norway, by his Queen Margaret,
daughter of Alexander III. Anxious to see his grand-
daughter and successor, he despatched one of his ablest sea-
captains. Sir Patrick Spens, to Norway, accompanied by se-
veral Scottish nobles, to fetch the young princess to Scotland.
King Eric, however, after various procrastinations, refused
to allow his daughter to embark, and Sir Patrick Spens, on
returning, at a late season of the year, from this fruitless ex-
pedition, was shipwrecked in a hurricane off the coast of
Scotland, and all on board perished.
In the mean time, Edward I. of England conceived the
idea of marrying his eldest son, Edward Prince of Wales, to
the heiress of Scotland, a measure equally agreeable to Alex-
ander and the Scots nobles ; for by this marriage the two king-
doms would have been united, and those bloody anddestructive
wars, which afterwards desolated both kingdoms for three cen-
turies, would, in all probability, never have taken place ; but
Providence had otherwise decreed it. Alexander III. being
accidentally killed by a fall from his horse near Pettycur, the
Scottish parhament despatched Sir David Wemyss and Sir
Michael Scott on a second expedition, to receive their young
queen, but the death of the Maid of Norway totally ruined
a scheme concerted between England and Scotland, which
CCCCLXXXII.— SIR PATRICK SPENS, 425
might have been productive of the most beneficial conse-
quences to both kingdoms.
" It is somewhat remarkable (says Arnot, in his History of
Edinburgh) that there are but three celebrated captains
mentioned in Scottish story, Sir Patrick Spens, Sir Andrew
Wood, and Andrew Barton, of whom the two first perished
in storms, the last in a naval engagement with the English."
Scotland, indeed, appears to have been almost destitute of a
navy at this period ; nor did the habits of the people, in these
times, dispose them to follow maritime aifairs. Hence the
insufficiency of their ships, their ignorance of naval tactics,
and the liability to shipwreck in rough seas. Even so late as
the reign of James III. it was enacted, *' That there be nae
schip fraughted out of the realm, with ony staple gudes, frae
the feast of Simon's and Jude's day, unto the feast of the
purification of our lady, called Candlemas,"" (that is to say,
from the 28th of October to the 2d of February thereafter,)
under the penalty of £5. And this penalty was raised to
£20 in the reign of his grand-son James V. What a miser-
ably picture of the state of the naval tactics and commerce of
Scotland in these days !
Bishop Percy informs us, that " in some modern copies,
instead of Sir Patrick Spens, hath been substituted the name
of Sir Andrew Wood, a famous Scottish admiral, who flour-
ished in the time of Edward IV. but whose story has nothing
in common with this ballad. As Wood was the most noted
warrior of Scotland, it is probable that, like the Theban
Hercules, he hath engrossed the renown of other heroes." —
Percy's Reliques.
The copy of the ballad in the Museum is exactly the same
as that inserted in the Reliques of Ancient English Poetry,
which has been elegantly translated into the German lan-
guage by Professor Herden, in a work entitled the " Volk
Leider.'''' It has since been printed, with additions, in Sir
Walter Scott's Minstrelsv of the Border, vol. i.
m
CCCCLXXXIII.
THE WREN, OR LENNOX'S LOVE TO BLANTYRE.
This old Nursery Song, beginning " The wren scho lies
in care's bed," was taken from Herd's Ancient Songs and
Ballads. The words are adapted to the beautiful air called
" Lennox's Love to Blantyre," which is frequently played as
a dancing-tune. This tune is modelled from the air called
" O dear Mother what shall I do."
CCCCLXXXIV.
GUDE WALLACE.
This old ballad, commemorating some real or supposed
achievements of " the hero of Scotland," was recovered by
Burns, and transmitted, alongst with the melody (taken down
from oral communication) to the publisher of the Museum.
The bards MSS, of the music and the words are in the pos-
session of the editor.
That the heroic Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie, near
Paisley, was the subject of many songs and ballads, though
now, perhaps, irrecoverably lost, cannot be doubted ; for some
of them are expressly referred to as evidence of this historical
fact in Fordon's Scotichronicon, vol. ii. page 176. That in
the Museum, beginning " O for my ain king, quo' gude Wal-
lace," is the only ballad relating to the actions of this hero
that the Editor has either met with or heard sung. It is,
however, evidently imperfect, and has no doubt suffered
greatly, in passing, by oral recitation, from one generation to
another. The leading incidents of the ballad are neverthe-
less corroborated by a similar account in Blind Henry the
Minstrel's Metrical Life of the Acts and Deeds of Wallace,
book V,
Many of the adventures and exploits related by this an-
cient minstrel, however, have been reckoned apocryphal, and
even apparently supernatural. The destruction of the early
historical records of Scotland unfortunately leaves the truth or
CeCCLXXXIV,— GUDE WALLACE. 427
falsehood of these traditional relations in a great measure un-
decided. But we have sufficient evidence to convince us, that
Wallace possessed uncommon strength and activity of body ;
a constitution capable of enduring the most severe privations
and fatigue ; a mind at once firm, bold, and energetic ; he
not only delivered his country from the oppression and tyran-
ny of Edward I., but likewise made severe retaliations on the
dominions of that monarch. He became the scourge and
terror of the English, who watched every opportunity to de-
stroy him. Notwithstanding his eminent and glorious ser-
vices in behalf of Scotland, he was, at length, treacherously
betrayed by his countryman, Sir John Menteith, and de-
livered into the hands of the relentless and cruel Edward,
who basely murdered the gallant hero, in the year 1303. —
All these facts are on record, and it is not quite fair to dis-
regard traditional relations, in so far, at least, as they do not
appear inconsistent with probability. Indeed, many other
equally miraculous exploits of the Scottish hero have been
handed down by tradition, and are still current among the
peasantry in England, with whom Wallace could scarcely be
thought to be a favourite.
CCCCLXXXV.
THE AULD MAN'S MARE'S DEAD. n
The words and air of this comic old song were composed
by Patrick Birnie of Kinghorn, a celebrated musician and
rhymer of his day. It is probably as old as 1660. Ramsay,
in one of his poems printed in 1721, entitled " Elegy on
Patie Birnie," says.
Your honour's father, dead and gane,
For him he first wad make his mane.
But soon his face cou'd make ye fain.
When he did sough ; ^
O wlltu, wiltu'j dot again ?
And grau'd and leugh.
4S8 CCCCLXXXV.— THE AULD MAN's MARE'S DEAD.
This sang he made frae his ain head^
And eke, " The auld man's mare's dead-—
The peats and turfs and as to lead ;"
I 0 fy upon her !
A bonny aidd thing this indeed,
An't like your honour.
OCCCLXXXVI.
THE WINTER OF LIFE.
This song was written by Burns for the Museum. It
begins " But lately seen in gladsome green." He likewise
communicated the plaintive air to which his verses are
adapted. It is apparently borrowed from the English tune
of Chevy-Chace, in Dale's Collection.
CCCCLXXXVII,
GOOD MORROW", FAIR MISTRESS-
The words of this song were taken from Herd's Ancient
and Modern Songs in 1776. The original air, which is real-
ly beautiful, was communicated to Mr Clarke by a gentle-
man who sung the song with much pathos and feeling. —
Mr Ritson copied the words into his Collection, and left
blank lines for the music, as he was unable to discover the
genuine air. The words and music first appeared together in
the Museum, but the song is known to be pretty ancient.
CCCCLXXXVIII.
THE HAUGHS OF CROMDALE.
This popular Scottish ballad, beginning " As I came in
by Auchindown," was long hacked about among the stalls
before it found its way into any regular collection. Ritson
published it with the musical notes in his Scottish Songs, in
1794, and he subjoins the following paragraph with regard to
it : " No notice is taken of this battle in the history of Mon-
trose's wars, nor does any mention of it elsewhere occur.
The only action known to have happened at Cromdale, a
village in Inverness-shire, was long after Montrose's time."
This explanation, however, is neither accurate nor satisfac-
tory. Cromdale is an extensive parish, nearly equally situ-
CCCCLXXXVIII. THE HAUGHS OF CEOMDALK. 429
ated in the counties of Inverness and Moray. Its length is
fully twenty, and its breadth, in some places, nearly twelve
miles. Though the appearance of the country is somewhat
bleak, and the soil in general thin and arid, yet the haughs,
or low grounds, on the banks of the river Spey are very fer-
tile. In this parish, the covenant forces at first obtained a
slight advantage over the Highlanders, but were soon there-
after routed with great slaughter.
With respect to the ballad, it seems either to have been
written at a later period than the events which it is intended
to record took place, or else, it has been imperfectly transmit-
ted by oral communication. The old name of the tune, as
appears from a manuscript of it in the Editor's possession,
was " Wat ye how the Play began ?" and this is likewise the
title of it in Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion. Be-
sides, the troops which were raised by the Lords of the Cove-
nant to oppose Montrose were not styled CromwelFs men,
as they are denominated in the last stanza of the ballad, al-
though that appellation not long thereafter came to be be-
stowed on the parliament armies which combated the royal
forces.
But to return to the ballad. After taking Dundee by
assault, the Marquis of Montrose delivered up that ill-
fated town and neighbourhood to be pillaged by his fero-
cious and blood-thirsty troops. The approach of the " Army
of the Covenant,"" however, under the command of Generals
Baillie and Urrey, put a stop to these ravages, and compelled
Montrose to retreat vipwards of sixty miles, and to take shel-
ter amongst the mountains of Perthshire. Baillie and Urrey
having afterwards imprudently divided their forces, the latter
pushed forward his division to Cromdale, where he surprised
and routed some Highlanders under the command of Alexan-
der M 'Donald, a firm royalist, and staunch adherent of Mon-
trose, from his earliest career. As soon as Montrose obtained
intelligence of this event, and of the separation of the Cove-
nant forces, he commenced a most rapid and dexterous march
430 CCCCLXXXVIIL— THE HAUGHS OF CROMDALE.
from Loch Katrine to the heart of Inverness-shire, and on the
4th May 1645, having come up with the troops under the com-
mand of Urrey at the village of Auldern,he defeated them with
prodigious slaughter, although his forces scarcely amounted to
the half of those of his opponent. Baillie, who was a veteran
and skilful officer, now advanced to Strathbogie to revenge
Urrey's defeat ; but he experienced a similar disaster, the
greater part of his men being left dead on the field in the
vicinity of Alford. Encouraged by these brilliant successes,
Montrose now descended into the low country, and fought
another bloody and decisive battle near Kilsyth, where 6000
covenanters fell under the Highland claymores. These
splendid victories at length opened the whole of Scotland to
Montrose, and Charles I., as a reward for his services, ap-
pointed him Captain-general and Deputy-governor of that
kingdom, upon which he summoned a Parhament to meet at
Glasgow, on the 29th October 1645. But neither Charles
nor Montrose were destined long to enjoy the fruits of these
victories, for the former had the misfortune to be brought to
the scaffold by his rebellious subjects, on 30th January 1 649,
and Montrose, after having been defeated by General Leslie
at Philliphaugh, in the county of Selkirk, and afterwards
by Colonel Strachan in the county of Ross, shared a similar
fate at Edinburgh, on the 21st May 1650.
In excuse for the Scots, it must be remembered, that the
bloody battle of Kilsyth, where 6000 brave but inex-
perienced soldiers fell a sacrifice while fighting for their re-
ligion, the freedom of conscience, and the liberties of their
country, combined with the cruelties which Montrose had
committed on the inhabitants of Dundee and in various
other parts of Scotland, were still fresh in the minds of his
antagonists. Nor was Montrose himself free from the guilt
of murder and apostacy. For, at first he joined the cove-
nanters, and in his zeal forced the inhabitants of Aberdeen
to take the covenant ; he even crossed the Tweed in 1640,
CCCCLXXXVIII.— THE IIAUGHS OF CROMDALE. 431
and routed the vanguard of the King's cavalry. Yet, in
1643, he abandoned the rehgious tenets he had sworn to ad-
here to, espoused the royal cause, and delivered up the
town of Aberdeen to destruction and pillage, in order to ex-
piate the very principles which he himself had formerly im-
posed upon them. Montrose was undoubtedly one of the
most able and brave generals that ever existed, but his me-
mory will ever be tarnished by the horrid acts of cruelty
and oppression which he exercised on his unfortunate coun-
trymen.
CCCCLXXXIX.
NO DOMINIES FOR ME, LADDIE.
This humorous ballad, beginning *« I chanc'd to meet an
airy blade," was copied from Yair's Charmer, vol. ii. p, 347,
printed at Edinburgh in 1751. It also appears in Herd's
Ancient and Modern Songs, Ritson likewise inserted it in
his Collection in 1744} and left blank lines for the music, as
he could not discover the tune. But the late James Bal-
four, Esq. accountant in Edinburgh, who was a charming
singer of Scottish songs, obligingly communicated the ori-
ginal melody, which enabled the publisher of the Museum to
present both the words and music to the public for the first
time in that work.
The Editor is credibly informed, that this ballad was writ-
ten by the late Rev. Mr Nathaniel Mackay, minister of
Cross-Michael, in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright.
ccccxc.
THE TAILOR.
This jocose effusion of Burns, beginning " For weel he
kend the way, O," was written on purpose for the Museum.
The words are adapted to an old reel tune in Bremner's Col-
lection, 1764, entitled " The Drummer." This tune was
selected by Mr O^Keefe, for one of his songs in the comic
433 CCCCXC— THE TAILOR.
opera of " The Poor Soldier," which was first acted in Co-
vent Garden in 1783- It begins, " Dear Kathleen, you no
doubt."
ccccxci.
THE WEE WIFEIKIE.
This exquisitely comic and humorous Scottish ballad, be-
ginning *' There was a wee bit wifeikie, and she gaed to
the fair," was written by Dr Alexander Geddes, a catholic
clergyman, author of Lewie Gordon, and several other poet-
ical pieces of merit.
The words of the song are adapted to a Highland strath-
spey composed by the same author, but it is evidently mo-
delled from the tune called " The Boatie rows." Dr Geddes
likewise altered the old air of " Tarrie Woo," to suit the
words of his " Lewis Gordon."
CCCCXCIl.
THERE GROWS A BONNIE BRIER-BUSH IN OUR KAlL YARD.
This song, with the exception of a few lines, which are
old, was written by Burns for the Museum. It is according-
ly marked with the letter Z, to denote its being an old song
with additions. Burns likewise communicated the air to
which the words are adapted. It is apparently the progeni-
tor of the improved tune, called " For the lake of gold she's
left me," to which Dr Austin's words are adapted, and
which the reader will find inserted in the second volume of
the Museum. — Vide Song- No 163.
CCCCXCIII.
COULD AUGHT OF SONG DECLARE MY PAINS.
This song was also written by Burns for the Museum.
He took the tune from Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Com-
panion, book vii. page 17th, where it is inserted under the
title of " At setting Day."
But it is not a genuine Scottish melody ; for the air was
composed by the late Samuel Howard, Mus. Doctor, to the
5
CCCCXCIII.— COULD AUGHT OF SONG, &C. 43S
verses which Allan Ramsay wrote as a song for Peggy in his
pastoral comedy of " The Gentle Shepherd," beginning
At setting day and rising morn.
With soul that still shall love thee,
I'll ask of Heaven thy safe return.
With aU that can improve thee.
&c. &c. &c.
Ramsay directed his verses to be sung to the fine tune of The
Bush aboon Traquair^ which is unquestionably far superior to
Dr Howard's air, although the latter, with Ramsay's words,
became a very popular song in England, and was frequently
sung by Mr Lowe, at Vauxhall, with great applause. This
Anglo- Scottish song was printed in Robart's " Caliope, or
English Harmony," vol. ii. London 1739, and again in ano-
ther work, entitled " The Muse's Delight," printed at Liver-
pool in 1754.
The anonymous editor of the work entitled " Musical Bio-
graphy," printed at London in 2 vols 8vo, 1814, informs us,
that Dr Howard, " who was educated at the Chapel Royal,
was not more esteemed for his musical talents than he was be-
loved for his private virtues, being ever ready to relieve dis-
tress, to anticipate the demands of friendship, and to prevent
the necessities of his acquaintance. He was organist of the
churches of St Clement Danes and St Bride. His ballads
were long the delight of natural and inexperienced lovers of
music, and had at least the merit of neatness and facility to
recommend them. He preferred so much the style of music
of his own country to that of any other, that nothing could
persuade him out of a belief that it had not then been excelled.
He died at his house in Norfolk-street, in the Strand (Lon-
don) on the 13th of July 1782, and was succeeded in his si-
tuation of organist of St Clement's by Mr Thomas Smart,
and that of St Bride's by Mr Thomas Potter, the son of the
flute-maker of that name." — Mus. Biog. vol. ii, p. 200.
434
CCCCXCIV.
0 DEAR ! WHAT CAN THE MATTER BE ?
The Editor has not yet been able to discover the author of
the words, or the composer of this air. Johnson copied the
song from a single sheet, published by Messrs Stewart & Co.
music-sellers, South Bridge, Edinburgh, which is entitled
" The favourite duet of O dear, what can the matter he T'
It appears to be an Anglo-Scottish production, not many yeajrs
anterior to the publication of the Museum, and is still a fa-
vourite.
cccoxcv,
HERE'S TO THY HEALTH, MY BONNIE LASS.
This song was written by Burns for the Museum. The
words are adapted to a beautiful strathspey tune, called " Lag-
gan Burn," which Burns communicated along with another
air to the same words, that Mr Clarke might have the option
of adopting either of the two he pleased.
The Editor, on looking into the manuscript of the music,
observes the following note to Johnson, in the hand-writing
of Mr Clarke : " This song must have a verse more or a verse
less. The music intended for it was so miserably bad, that I
rejected it ; but lucluly there was a tune called ' Laggan
Burn' on the opposite side, which will answer very well, by
adding a verse or curtailing one. I know that Burns wilj
rather do the former than the latter.
" P. S. When I wrote the above, I did not observe that
there was another verse on the opposite page."
There is a striking resemblance between this tune of " Lag-
gan Burn ' and " Lady Shaftsbury's Strathspey," composed
by Mr Nathaniel Gow, and published in his Third Collection,
page 15. ' ; 2
ccccxcvi,
JENNY'S BAWBEE.
The old words of this song, beginning " And a' that e'er
my Jenny had," were copied from Herd's Ancient and Mo-
dern Songs, Edinburgh 177(i, and are adapted to their ori-
6
ccccxcvi.— jenny's bawbee. 435
ginal air, which has long been a favourite dancing tune. The
following humorous verses, to the same air, do credit to the
pen of their ingenious author, Alexander Boswell of Auchin-
leck, Esq. M. P.
I MET four chaps yon birks amang,
Wi' hinging lugs and faces lang ;
I speer'd at neebour Bauldy Strang,
Wha's they I see ?
Quo' he, ilk cream-fac'd pawky chiel
Thought he was cunning as the diel.
And here they cam awa to steal
Jenny's bawbee.
The first, a captain to his trade,
Wi' skull ill-lin'd, but back weel clad,
March'd round the barn and by the shed.
And pap'd on his knee ;
Quo* he, " My goddess, nymph, and queen.
Your beauty's dazzled baith my een ,•"
But deil a beauty he had seen
But Jenny's bawbee.
A lawyer niest, wi' blethrin gab,
Wha speeches wove like ony wab.
In ilk ane's corn ay took a dab.
And a' for a fee ;
Accounts he ow'd through a' the town.
And tradesmens' tongues nae mair cou'd drown.
And now he thought to clout his gown
Wi' Jenny's bawbee.
A norland laird niest trotted up,
Wi' bawsend naig and sUler whup.
Cried, " There's my beast, lad, had the grup.
Or tie't till a tree :
What's gowd to me, I've walth o' Ian',
Bestow on ane o' worth your han' •"
He thought to pay what he was awn
Wi' Jenny's bawbee.
Dress'd up just like the knave o' clubs,
A THING cam niest (but life has rubs,)
•Foul were the roads and fou the dubs.
And jaupit a' was he.
He danc'd up, squintin through a glass.
And grinn'd, « I' faith a bonnie lass !"
He thought to win, wi' front o' brass,
Jenny's bawbee.
436
CCCCXCVl. JENNY S BAWBEE.
She bade the laird gae kaim his wig.
The soger no to strut sae big,
The lawyer no to be a prig ;
The fool cried, " Tehee f
I kent that I could never fail !"
But she prin'd the dishclout to his tail.
And sous'd him wi' a water-pail.
And kept her bawbee.
CCCCXCVII.
IT WAS A' FOR OUR RIGHTFU' KING.
This is another production of Burns, in allusion to " the
royal family of Stuart," and the \infortunate fate of many of
its adherents. The beautiful air to which his verses are
adapted, consisting of one strain, was also communicated by
the bard. Mr Hogg had been informed by some person,
who thought this an old song, that it was written, by a Cap-
tain Ogilvie, who was with King James at the battle of the
Boyne, and was afterwards killed on the banks of the Rhine
in 1695.
CCCCXCVIIl.
THE HIGHLAND WIDOW'S LAMENT,
This pathetic ballad, of eight stanzas, beginning " Oh ! I
am come to the low countrie," was wholly/ composed by Burns
for the Museum, unless we except the exclamation Ochon,
ochon, ochrie ! which appears in the old song composed on
the massacre of Glencoe, inserted in the first volume of the
Museum. — Vide Song No 89.
Burns likewise communicated the plaintive Gaelic air, which
he obtained from a lady in the north of Scotland, and of which
he was remarkably fond. The bard's own manuscripts, both
of the words and of the music, are in the present Editor''s
possession. Burns, it is observed, had misplaced some of the
bars in the melody, which Mr Clarke has rectified in the Mu-
seum. The words and music first appeared in print in the
fifth volume of that work.
Burns never could reflect on the unnecessary and indis-
criminate severities which the Duke of Cumberland exerci-
CCCCXCVIII.-— THE HIGHLAND WIDOw's LAMENT, 487
sed on the unfortunate inhabitants of the Highlands after
the battle of CuUoden (fought on the 16th April 1746), but
his heart thrilled with sensations of the deepest detestation
and horror. In the month of May following, the Duke ad-
vanced as far as Fort Augustus, where he encamped, and
sent off detachments to ravage the whole country. " The
castles of Lovat, Glengary, and Lochiel, were destroyed ;
the cottages were burnt to the ground ; the cattle driven
away ; and the wives and children of the hapless rebels, if
spared from conflagration and the sword, were driven out to
wander, houseless and without food, over the desolate heath.
So alert were these ministers of vengeance in the execution of
their office, that in a few days there was neither house, cottage,
man, nor beast, to be seen within the compass of Jifty miles ;
all was ruin, silence, and desolation." — Simpson's Hist, of
Scotland. The keen sensibility which these barbarities ex-
cited in the feeling and susceptible mind of Burns, gave rise
to several exquisite ballads from his versatile pen, in allu-
sion to these horrid times of butchery and havoc. " The
Lovely Lass of Inverness ;" " It was a' for our rightfu'
King ;" " The Highland Widow's Lament ;" and several
other of his songs, in the Museum, are proofs of this fact.
The present ballad, however, like many others of our
great bard, has had the misfortune to be disfigured since its
first publication, by three additional verses of a modern poet-
aster, who has neither paid regard to the measure of the ori-
ginal stanzas, nor to tlie melody to which they were adapted.
Cromek, as usual, first set the example, in his " Nithsdale and
Galloway Song," and he has since been copied by later pub-
lishers of Scottish songs. The interpolated verses are an-
nexed, to enable the reader to distinguish the old lines from the
spurious.
" I HAE nocht left me ava,
Ochon, ochon, ochrie !
But bonnie orphan lad-weans twa.
To seek their bread wi' me.
438 CCCCXC VIII.— THE HIGHLAND WIDOw's LAMENT.
I hae yet a tocher band,
Ochoiij ochoiij ochrie !
My winsome Donald's durk and bran',
Into their hands to gie.
There's only ae blink o' hope left.
To lighten my auld ee.
To see my bairns gie bludie crowns
To them gar't Donald die ! ! !"
These fabricated stanzas are no more to be compared with
the fine verses of Burns, than the daubings of a sign-painter
with the pictures of Raphael.
ccecxcix.
GLOOMY DECEMBER.
This charming and pathetic song, beginning " Ance mair
I hail thee, thou gloomy December," was written by Burns for
the Museum. The words are adapted to a plaintive, slow air,
which was also communicated by the bard. This song was
originally intended for the air, " Here awa, there awa', bide
awa', WiUie," which would have answered it far better ; but, as
that tune had been printed in a former part of the Museum,
Johnson wished another for the sake of variety.
D.
EVAN BANKS.
This fine song, beginning " Slow spreads the gloom my
soul desires," was likewise written by Burns for the same
work. The words are adapted to a slow air, taken from
Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion, book i. page 18, en-
titled, " Green grows the Rashes," but it is evidently the
same tune as " Gude Night and Joy be wi' you," slightly
varied.
Evan is a small river in Dumfries-shire, in the parish of
Moffat, which takes its rise at Clydesnan, very near the
source of the Clyde.
END OF TART FIFTH.
[ *439 ]
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS.
PART V.
CCCCI.
THE LASS OF INVERNESS.
This subject has been finely treated by Mr Allan Cun-
ningham, in a pathetic song called " The Lovely Lass of
Inverness," which first appeared in Cromek's Reliques of
Nithsdale and Galloway Song.
ccccix.
O GIN YE WERE DEAD, GUDEMAN.
" The concluding stanza of this Song is,
Then round about the fire wi' a rung she ran.
An round about the fire wi' a rung she ran.
An round, &c.
Saying — • Hand awa' your blue breeks frae me, gudeman.' "
(C. K. S.)
CCCCXI.
TAM LIN.
" The name of Walter de Lynne is to be found in Rag-
man's Roll. This Walter," says Nisbet, " is without doubt
the ancestor of the Lynnes of that ilk, a little ancient fa-
mily in Cuningham, but lately extinct." — The Christian
name of Thomlyne occurs also in several old Romances.
" On the subject of such poetical names, it may be men-
tioned here, that Tristram was the ancient appellation of
the Earl of Howth's family, till it was changed, owing to a
signal victory gained by one of the chiefs on St Laurence's
day." {Vide Pedigree of the Earls of Howth, in the Irish
Peerage.)
*2 1
440 * TAM LIN.
" It is remarkable that none of our Scotish ballads eon-
tains the names, or is founded on any incident to be met with
in the collections of Ossianic poetry, as far as I have ever
observed; this cannot easily be accounted for; as many
picturesque stories are set forth in these poems, which prob-
ably, if the whole be not a dream, must have been familiar
to the Scotish Lowlanders." — (C. K. S.)
The account given of Wood's MS. 1566, at pages 369,
407, &e., is not quite accurate. The volume quoted as " Mr
Blackwood's MSS." is now in my possession, and is unques-
tionably an interesting relique of its kind, although of less
antiquity than Mr S. has assigned to it. The Medley
which he quotes, was not written by Wood in 1566, but
has been inserted, along with various miscellaneous airs,
by a different hand, probably between 1600 and 1620.
The Medley itself is contained along with the " Pleugh
Song," in the second edition of the " Cantus, &c," printed at
Aberdeen, 1666. See the Introduction to the present work.
CCCCXIII.
AULD LANGSYNE.
In Watson's Collection of Scots Poems, Part III.
Edinb. 1711. 8vo, there is a poem entitled " Old Long-
syne," written about the middle of the 17th century. It
contains ten stanzas, divided into two parts, of which the
first and sixth stanzas may serve as a specimen. It is prob-
ably an English ballad, and founded upon one of an earlier
date.
Should old Acquaintance be forgot
And never thought upon.
The flames of love extinguished.
And freely past and gone ?
Is thy kind heart now grown so cold
In that loving breast of thine.
That thou canst never once reflect
On Old-long-syne ?
AULD LANGSYNE. *441
If e'er I have a house, my Dear,
That truly is call'd mine.
And can aiFord but country cheer.
Or ought that's good therein ;
Tho' thou wert Rebel to the King,
And beat with wind and rain,
Assure thyself of welcome Love,
For Old-long-syne.
ccccxxv.
THE BOATIE ROWS.
Burns has attributed this Song to a person whose death
was thus announced in the Obituaries of the time.
" Oct. 21, 1821— Died at Aberdeen, in the 80th year of
his age, John Ewen, Esq., who was a most useful member
of society, and one of the most respectable public charac-
ters of that place for more than half a century. His exer-
tions in favour of charitable institutions, and for every in-
dividual case of distress that came under his notice, were
zealous and unremitting; his conduct, as connected with
public aifairs, was strictly disinterested; while his great
information on subjects of general interest, merited, upon
all occasions, the respectful attention of the community.
Strangers visiting Aberdeen, who very frequently had in-
troductions to Mr Ewen, will long recollect his assiduous
and polite attentions. Though not a native of Aberdeen,
he had long been regarded as one of her most eminent citi-
zens. With the exception of various sums left to the pub-
lic charities of Aberdeen, he has bequeathed the bulk of his
property (perhaps L.15,000 or L. 16,000) to the Magis-
trates and Clergy of Montrose, for the purpose of founding
an Hospital, similar to Gordon's Hospital of Aberdeen, for
the maintenance and education of boys." — {Scots Magazine^
1821, p. 620.)
This bequest gave rise to a protracted litigation, in the
course of which, the conduct of " this respectable pub-
lic character," in his family settlements, appeared in a very
442 * THE BOATIE ROWS.
singular point of view. He was not, however, a person of
so much note as to make it worth while to state all the par-
ticulars ; but the following notice has been kindly commu-
nicated by James Maidment, Esq., Advocate, who was one
of the counsel employed.
" John Ewen was born in Montrose — he was of humble
origin, and his parents had not the means of giving him
almost any education. His frugality and industry having
early in life enabled him to scrape together a few pounds,
he went to Aberdeen in 1760, and set up a small hardware
shop for the sale of goods.
" From 1760 to 1766, Mr Ewen was not particularly
prosperous, but in the last- mentioned year, he bettered his
circumstances by marrying Janet Middleton, one of the
two daughters of John Middleton, yarn and stocking-maker,
Aberdeen, and of Elizabeth Mac-Kombie, his wife. In
right of this lady, whose father was then dead, Mr Ewen
became possessor of one-half of the property (chiefly herit-
able) of his deceased father-in-law. On the 27th Dec.
1 766, a postnuptial contract of marriage was entered into
between the husband and wife, by which she conveys to
her husband her place of the heritage, which consisted of
certain tenements in Aberdeen, a bond for L.lOO, and cer-
tain furniture valued at L.43, 7s. He, in return, conveyed
to her, in case of her surviving him, all his moveable ef-
fects ; but declaring, that if a child or children be alive at
the dissolution of the marriage by Ewen's death, that, in
that case, her right should be restricted to one-half of the
furniture, and an annuity of L.IO per annum. In case of
his survivance, and there being issue, he became bound to
give them all his property, heritable or moveable, which he
might die possessed of.
" Mrs Ewen did not long survive after giving birth
- to a daughter. This young lady married in 1787. As Mr
Ewen's parsimony effectually prevented him making any
suitable provision on this occasion, and as his son-in-law had
THE BOATIE ROWS. - * 443
only the fortune of a younger brother, the newly-married
pair resolved to leave Scotland, and try their fortune in a
foreign clime. This circumstance, perhaps, originally in-
duced the father to think of devoting his accumulations to
the endowment of an hospital ; however, as the conditions
of the marriage-contract with Miss Middleton necessarily
fettered him, he resolved to endeavour to procure a dis-
charge of the provisions in the deed, upon payment of
small sum of money. This he was enabled to effect, and
he thereupon became absolute and unlimited master of pro-
perty, real and personal, of considerable value.
" Ewen died in Oct. 1821, never having taken a second
wife, and leaving behind him a very ample fortune, which
on deathbed he devised to trustees for the purpose of en-
dowing an hospital at Montrofee, upon a similar footing
with that of Gordon's at Aberdeen. This settlement was
challenged by his daughter ; and after various conflicting
decisions, was, to the satisfaction of every one, finally set
aside by the House of Peers, on the 17th Nov. 1810, on (
the clear legal ground, which had been very superficially
considered in the Court below, that the deed was void, in
consequence of its uncertainty and want of precision both as
to the sum to be accumulated by the trustees before they
were to commence building the hospital, and as to the
number of boys to be educated in it when built."
A full report of this lawsuit is contained in Wilson and
Shaw's " Cases decided in the House of Lords on Appeal
from the Courts of Scotland," vol. iv. p. 346-361.
In the Museum, three different sets of this popular air
are given. The following verses, written by Joanna Bail-
lie, for Mr Thomson's Collection, are here copied from
that work, which is enriched with several others by the
same lady. She has imbibed so much of the true character
and feeling of our older lyric poetry, that it is matter of re-
gret she had not directed herself more to this branch of
composition.
444 * THE BOATIE ROWS.
O swiftly glides the bonny boat.
Just parted from the shore ;
And to the Fisher's chorus note.
Soft moves the dipping oar.
His toils are borne with happy cheer.
And ever may they speed.
That feeble age and helpmate dear.
And tender bairnies feed.
We cast our lines in Largo bay.
Our nets are floating wide.
Our bomiy boat with yielding sway.
Rocks lightly on the tide :
And happy prove our daily lot.
Upon the summer sea ;
And blest on land our kindly cot
Where all our treasures be.
The Mermaid on her rock may sing.
The Witch may weave her charm.
Nor Water-sprite nor eldrich thing
The bonny boat can harm.
It safely bears its scaly store
Thro' many a stormy gale,
While joyful shouts rise from the shore.
Its homeward prow to hail.
We cast our lines in Largo bay, &c.
CCCCXXIX.
AS SYLVIA IN A FOREST LAY.
This song, as stated at page 381, appeared in Ramsay's
Tea- Table Miscellany. The following passage, in a letter
of Malloch's, dated Dreghorn, 10th Sept. 1722, seems to
refer to that collection, which is usually considered to have
been first published in 1724. " I saw Captain Hamilton
(of Gilbertfield) some time ago in Edinburgh. He has
made public his Life of Wallace ; and, at the same time, so
far sunk his character with people of taste, that he is thought
to have treated his hero as unmercifully as did Edward of
old. 'Tis the fate of Wallace to be always murdered. Mr
Ramsay, again, aspires no higher than humble Sonnets at
present. He has published several collections of Scotch
AS SYLVIA IN A FOREST LAY. * 445
Songs, and wonderfully obliged the young creatures of both
sexes ; the men, by giving them an opportunity of letting
the world see they are amongst the number of those Quos
(Bquus amavit Apollo ; and the women, by making public
those pretty love-songs, where their sparkling eyes, rosy
cheeks, and snowy breasts, are so tenderly described. His
Miscellany Songs are wrote by various hands. These are
the present entertainments in town."
The above is an extract from one of a series of original
letters by Malloch, addressed to Professor Ker of Aber-
deen, between the years 1720 and 1727. It is to be regret-
ted that he has not described more particularly the vari-
ous hands " that wrote these Miscellany Songs." See
page *383. — Malloch's letters, which are printed in " The
Edinburgh Magazine or Literary Miscellany" for 1793,
contain a number of curious literary notices, including some
particulars of his own life.
Mr Stenhouse has, not only in this place, erroneously as-
cribed, " As Sylvia in a forest lay," to Malloch, or Mallet,
but in a former note, at page 58, he has very superfluously
inserted the whole of the song verbatim, (also calling it one
of Mallet's earliest compositions,) overlooking, I presume,
the circumstance that it occurred in this volume of the Mu-
seum. The author of the song was Joseph Mitchell, a
countryman of Mallet's, who, like him, had proceeded to
London to better his fortune. He was the author of one
or two dramatic pieces, as well as poems, and has been no-
ticed by Mr S. at pages 54 and 59. See also an account
of his life in Chalmers's Biographical Dictionary, vol. xxii.
p. 204.
That Mitchell was the author of this song is indubitable,
as it is contained with some variations, under the title of
" Sylvia's Moan," in vol. ii. p. 236, of the collection of his
" Poems on Several Occasions," Lond. 1729, 2 vols,
large 8vo.
Another song by Mitchell, well known as " the Duke of
i'S
446 * AS SY1.VIA IN A FOREST LAY.
Argyle's Levee," has been usually attributed to Lord Bin-
ning. The following letter on the subject, was written, I
believe, by Sir David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes, and is copied
from the Edinburgh Magazine for April 1786.
*' The ballad known under the name of ' Argyle's Levee'
has been often printed, and Lord Binning has been held
out to the public as its author.
" It is fit that the public should at length be undeceived.
That Lord Binning was the author of that satirical ballad,
is reported on no better authority than a vague popular
rumour.
" To this I oppose, first, the mild character of that young
nobleman, who was a wit indeed, but without malice. Se-
condly, the assertion of his brother, who told me, that Lord
Binning, before he went to Naples, where he died, solemnly
declared, that it was not he, but one Mitchell, the author of
a book of poems, who wrote that ballad.
" Should any person wish to know who it is who gives
you this information, he shall be satisfied on leaving his
address with you. I do not choose to let my name be seen
in a magazine ; but I am ready to satisfy the curiosity of
any person who wishes to be satisfied, at the expense of
giving up a popular opinion,
" Give me leave to add, that the notes subjoined to the
ballad, are incorrect and unsatisfactory. It would be easy
for me to explain the obscure passages in it ; but it would
be a task equally disagreeable and useless, to point out the
meaning of obsolete scandal."
Charles Hamilton, Lord Binning, the eldest son of
Thomas sixth Earl of Haddington, was born in the year
1696. He served as a volunteer, along with his father, at
the battle of Sherriffmuir, 13th of November 1715. A
song in praise of j$]milius, supposed to be written by him
while a youth, in his own commendation, contains a jocular
allusion to his father's terror during that conflict with the
AS SYLVIA IN A FOREST LAY. * 447
rebels. Lord Binning is allowed to have had a fine genius
for lyric poetry, and was much beloved for his amiable dis-
position. He married Rachel, daughter of George Baillie
of Jerviswood, by his wife Lady Grissel Baillie.
It is singular that his much admired pastoral Song,
" Ungrateful Nanny," should not have found a place in the
Musical Museum. It is no doubt full of conceits somewhat
unsuited to such a composition; but there are not many
pastorals of that age superior to it for elegance of expres-
sion and easy flow of verse ; and if ladies and gentlemen
will assume the character of shepherdesses and shepherds,
they will not incur any disgrace should they indite such
strains as the following song.
UNGllATEFUL NANNY,
Did ever swain a nymph aJure,
As I ungrateful Nanny do ?
Was ever shepherd's heart so sore ?
Was ever broken heart so true ?
My cheeks are swell'd with tears, but she
Has never shed a tear for me.
If Nanny call'd, did Robin stay.
Or linger when she bid me run ?
She only had the word to say,
And all she ask'd was quickly done :
I always thought on her, but she
Would ne'er bestow a thought on me.
To let her cows my clover taste.
Have I not rose by break of day ?
When did her heifers ever fast.
If Robin in his yard had hay ?
Though to my fields they welcome were,
I never welcome was to her.
If Nanny ever lost a sheep,
I cheerfully did give her two :
Did not her lambs in safety sleep.
Within my folds in frost and snow ?
Have they not there from cold been free.
But Nanny still is cold to me.
448 * AS SYLVIA IN A FOREST LAY.
Whene'er I climb'd our orchard trees.
The ripest fruit was kept for Nan ;
Oh, how those hands that drown'd her bees
Were stung ! I'll ne'er forget the pain.
Sweet were the combs as sweet could be
But Nanny ne'er look'd sweet on me,
If Nanny to the well did come,
'Twas I that did her pitcher fill ;
Full as they were I brought them home.
Her corn I carried to the mill :
My back did bear her sacks, but she
Would never bear the sight of me.
To Nanny's poultry oats I gave,
I'm sure they always had the best ;
Within this week her pigeons have
Eat up a peck of peas at least :
Her little pigeons kiss, but she
Would never take a kiss from me.
Must Robin always Nanny woo ?
And Nanny still on Robin frown ?
Alas, poor wretch ! what shall I do.
If Nanny does not love me soon ?
If no relief to me she'll bring,
I'll hang me in her apron string.
Lord Binning died at Naples, the 27th of December
1732, O.S., in his 36th year, whither he had gone, with
some of his relations, for the sake of his health.
An epitaph on Lord Binning, by Hamilton of Bangour,
occurs in his Poems, p. 82, edit. 1760, 12mo.
ccccxxxix.
THE ROCK AND THE WEE PICKLE TOW.
Alexander Ross was born on the 13th of April 1699,
in the parish of Kincardine O'Neill, Aberdeenshire ; and
passed through a regular course of study at Marischal Col-
lege, where he took his degree of A.M. in the year 1718.
In 1726 he was appointed schoolmaster of Lochlee, in the
THE ROCK AND THE WEE PICKLE TOW. * 449
county of Angus ; and in this secluded and romantic spot
he continued in the humble discharge of that office during the
long period of fifty-six years. He died on the 20th of May
1784, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. His principal
work, " Helenore, or the Fortunate Shepherdess," a pas-
toral tale, was first published at Aberdeen, 1768, 8vo, and
has passed through several editions. To the latest edition,
printed at Dundee, 1812, small 8vo, there is prefixed a
minute and interesting account of the author's life, by his
grandson, the Rev. Alexander Thomson, minister of Len-
trathen. It is to be regretted, however, that Ross's mis-
cellaneous poems had not been added to the volume.
CCCCXL.
TIBBIE FOWLER O' THE GLEN.
Mr R. Chambers, in his collection of " Scottish
Songs," has the following note on this song : " Said to have
been written by the Rev. Dr Strachan, late minister of
Carnwath, although certainly grounded upon a song of
older standing, the name of which is mentioned in the Tea-
Table Miscellany. The two first verses of the song ap-
peared in Herd's Collection, 1776. There is a tradition at
Leith, that Tibbie Fowler was a real person, and married,
sometime during the seventeenth century, to the represen-
tative of the attainted family of Logan of Restalrig, whose
town house, dated 1636, is still pointed out at the head of
a street in Leith, called the Sheriff- Brae. The marriage
contract between Logan and Isabella Fowler is still extant,
in the possession of a gentleman resident at Leith. — See
Campbell's History of Leith, note, p. 314." (vol. ii. p.
378.)
Unfortunately, we cannot rely on the above appropria-
tion of this song, for the simple reason, that there was no
Dr Strachan, minister of Carnwath, during at least the last
three hundred years.
450 * WALY, WALY.
CCCCXLVI.
WALY, WALY.
In his previous note on this pathetic song-, at page 147,
Mr Stenhouse has quoted some lines from Wood's MS.;
but that portion of the MS. was written long subsequent
to 1566. See Note ccccxi. at page * 439.
" In the West country (says Burns), I have heard a
different edition of the second stanza. Instead of the four
lines beginning, ' When Cockle-shells,' &c., the other way
ran thus :
« O wherefore need I busk my head.
Or wherefore need I kame my hair.
Sin' my fause love has me forsook.
And says, he'll never luve me mair !' "
Reliques, p. 245.
CCCCLI.
HALLOW FAIR.
Robert Fergusson, the eminent but unfortunate pre-
cursor of Burns, was born at Edinburgh on the 17th of
October 1750. He received part of his elementary edu-
cation at Dundee, and, with the view of coming out for the
Church, he was sent to pursue his studies at St Andrew's.
Circumstances having occurred to make him change his
views, he came to Edinburgh, and was chiefly employed in
copying law-papers in the office of the Commissary-clerk.
At the same time, he became a stated contributor of verses
to Ruddiman's Weekly Magazine, while his convivial talents
led him to indulge too much in idle society. He died on the
16th of October 1774, aged twenty-four, at the time of life
when it might have been expected that the brilliant pro-
mises of his youthful genius would have been realized ^ It
is a beautiful and an affecting incident in Burns's life, that
one of his first acts, after he himself had acquired any de-
gree of public fame, was to raise a humble monument to
Fergusson's memory, by erecting at his own expense a
'"■t-A
HALLOW FAIR. *451
headstone over his grave, in the Canongate churchyard. It
is certainly not creditable to the literature of Scotland,
that no decently printed edition of his Poems has ever ap-
peared.
It may b¬iced, in proof of Fergusson's early celebrity,
that some of his songs were sung at the Theatre- Royal,
Edinburgh, while he himself subsisted as a drudge by copy-
ing deeds, at about twopence a page. The following is the
title and the names of the actors in the English Opera of
Artaxerxes, as performed at Edinburgh, in 1769.
" Artaxerxes, an English Opera, as it is performed at
the Theatre-Royal, Edinburgh. The Music composed by
Tho. Aug. Arne, Mus. Doc. with the addition of Three fa-
vourite Scots airs. The words by Mr R. Fergusson.
Edin. printed by Martin and Wotherspoon, 1769." 12mo. —
The performers were : — Artaxerxes, Mr Ross^ Artabanes,
Mr Phillips — Arbaces, Mr Tenducci — Rimenes, Mrs
Woodman — Mandane, by **** — Semira, Miss Brown. —
The actress whose name is left blank, was Madame Ten-
ducci.
CCCCLVI.
MY BONNIE LIZZIE BAILLIE.
" The heroine of this song was a daughter of Baillie of
Castle Carey, and sister, as it is said, to the wife of Mac-
farlane of Gartartan. A MS. copy of the verses, of some
antiquity, commences thus :" — (C. K. S.)
It was in and about the Martinmass,
When the leaves were fresh and green,
Lizzie Baillie's to Gartartan gane.
To see her sister Jean.
She was nae in Gartartan
But a little whUe,
When luck and fortune happen'd her.
And she gaed to the Isle. ^
When she gaed to the bonny Isle,
She met wi' Duncan Grahame ;
452 * THE BROOM BIjOOMS BONNY.
Sae bravely as he courted her.
And he convoy'd her hame.
My bonnie Lizzie Baillie, &c.
CCCCLXI.
THE BROOM BLOOMS BONNY,
*' Is now printed complete in Mr Motherwell's collection
of Scotish ballads, p. 90."— (C. K. S.)
The following verses to this air, are by Captain Skir-
ting, to whom I have been indebted for other communi-
cations.
To THE Tune of " Til never gae down the Broom.^'
He courted her kindly, consent was avow'd,
The hawk soars high, but the lure's in his e'e ;
Her interest procured him a kirk well endow'd.
But it's hard to divine what we're destined to dree.
He found one more wealthy, although somewhat old.
The hawk soars high, but the lure's in his e'e ;
The kirk was secure ; lo ! he grasp' d at the gold.
But it's hard to divine what we're destined to dree.
Her friends, much incensed, have recourse to the law.
The hawk soars high, but the lure's in his e'e ;
The wise say 'tis safer to baud than to draw.
But it's hard to divine what we're destined to dree.
The last now is first, but she's caught by a knave.
The hawk soars high, but the lure's in his e'e ;
The first may at last come in peace to her grave.
But it's hard to divine what we're destined to dree.
CCCCLXIII.
THE LASS THAT WINNA SIT DOUN.
Mr Alexander Robertson, Engraver, who rang the
music-bells of this city for many years, and was the writer of
this song, died at Edinburgh, 22d of September 1819.
The followiner notices of him are derived from the Council
Registers. On the 14th of December 1785, Alexander
THE LASS THAT WINNA SIT DOUN. * 453
Robertson, residenter in Edinburgh, was appointed joint
ringer of the music-bells. From an act, 15th of March
1809, it would seem that the whole ofiice had then devolved
on him, for it is ordered that he draw the whole salary. On
the 13th of October 1819 (three weeks after his decease),
sundry petitions for the vacant office were laid before the
Council ; and, on the 1 7 th of November following, the Coun-
cil ordered a quarter's salary to be paid to John Menzies,
engraver, "to enable him to defray the expense of the
funeral of Alexander Robertson, late performer on the
music-bells." His original coadjutor, as ringer, was a
Mr John Hay, the son of a Scots merchant, settled at
Dantzic (See Kay's Edinburgh Portraits, vol. ii. p. 129.)
It is well known that there is a very complete set of music-
bells in St Giles's church, and the old custom of plajdng
on them daily between the hours of one and two o'clock, is
still kept up, although that hour of dinner, and the practice
of merchants and tradesmen in the town then shutting up
their shops, are completely changed. As stated at page
405, Robertson continued for many years (at least from
1783 to 1799) to engrave the views of gentlemen's seats
which adorn the pages of the Edinburgh Magazines, in a
style that quite suited the literary department of these peri-
odicals.
CCCCLXVI.
THE CHERRIE AND THE SLAE.
The verses in the Museum, are merely the first four
stanzas of " The Cherrie and the Slae," the well-known
poem, by Captain Alexander Montgomery; whereas, Mr
S., in his note at p. 406, describes them as a " very singular
ballad," evidently imagining them to be something quite
different. Neither are these verses contained in Bannatyne's
MS., which has only a few of the minor compositions by
Montgomery, and which undoubtedly were inserted in the
454* THE CHERRIE AND THE SLAB.
MS. at a later period than 1568, when the greater part of
the volume was written. In fact, there is no evidence of this
elegant and accomplished poet having written any thing
prior to 1584 ; and as " The Banks of Helicon," which is
preserved in Sir R. Maitland's MSS. is anonymous, it has
been attributed to him only by conjecture. A collected
edition of Montgomery's Poems, most of which, with the
exception of " The Cherrie and the Slae," and " The Flyt-
ing," had remained unpublished, appeared in one vol. at
Edinburgh, 1821, small 8vo.
" There is an admirable portrait of Lady Margaret
Montgomerie, Countess of Winton, the supposed heroine
of ' The Cherrie and the Slae,' in the possession of Mr
Hay of Drummelzier." — (C. K. S.)
The MS. containing the air " The Banks of Helicon,"
which Mr S. (at p. 407) mentions as having belonged to the
Rev. Mr Cranstoun and to Dr Leyden, was presented by
the latter to Mr Heber ; and, since the dispersion of his
princely collection, it has found a place of repository in the
Advocates' Library.
Mr S. further says that this song, " The Banks of
Helicon," " was probably composed on the beautiful but un-
fortunate Mary Queen of Scots ;" but there is no evidence
for such a supposition. It was, indeed, composed during
her life, which is more than can be asserted of the once
popular song, " Ye meaner beauties of the Night," in-
serted by Allan Ramsay, in his Tea-table Miscellany, as a
song, " said to be made in honour of our Sovereign Lady
'U*4'»*<i|| Mary, Queen of Scots." Mr R. Chambers, in his " Scot-
' ' ' tish Songs," (vol. ii., p. 562), improving upon this title,
^
adds, " said to have been written hy Lord Darnley^ in praise
of the beauty of Queen Mary, before their marriage ." It
was in fact written by Sir Henry Wotton, " on his mis-
tress, the Queen of Bohemia," probably thirty years after
that Queen's grandmother, the unfortunate Mary, had
been beheaded. (Reliquise Wottonianse, p. 381, Lond. 1685,
8vo.)
THK HIGHLAND LADDIE. * 455
CCCCLXVII.
THE HIGHLAND LADDIE.
Among Burns's communications for the Musical Museum,
he sent the following verses of a well-known Jacobite Song,
but of which Johnson did not avail himself. The Song
itself is printed in Hogg's Jacobite Relics, vol. i. p. 146,
under the title, " What murrain now has ta'en the Whigs,"
although a better set might have been found. In Burns's
MS., the verses are entitled —
THE GERMAN LAIRDIE.
What merriment has ta'en the Whigs,
I think they ha'e gaen mad, sir,
Wi' playing up their Whiggish jigs.
Their dancin' may be sad, sir.
CHORUS.
Sing, heedle liltie, teedle liltie
Andum, tandum, tandie ;
Sing fal de dal, de dal, lal, lal.
Sing howdle liltie dandie.
The Revolution principles
Has put their heads in bees, sir.
They're a' fa' en out amang themsels,
Deil tak the first that grees, sir.
Sing heedle, &c.
CCCCLXIX.
CHRONICLE OF THE HEART.
Dr Thomas Blacklock, the author of this Song, had
been a frequent contributor to the Museum, but he was
dead some years before this volume appeared. His life has
been so often written, that it may suffice to mention that
he was born at Annan in the year 1721, and lost his sight
by the smallpox in infancy ; that he studied for the Scotish
church, and was licensed to preach in 1759 ; but his blind-
ness proved the means of preventing his settlement as a
parochial minister : and that after this time he continued to
reside in Edinburgh, devoting the remainder of his life to
*2k
456 * CHRONICLE OF THE HEART.
literary pursuits, and was much respected. In 1766, the
degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by
Marischal College, Aberdeen. He died at Edinburgh in
July 1791, in the seventieth year of his age.
CCCCLXXIII.
AULD KING COWL.
It is a mistake to attribute the Interlude of the Droich's
(or Dwarf's) part of the Play, quoted at p. 418, to Sir
David Lyndsay. — See Dunbar's Poems, vol. ii. p. 410.
CCCCLXXV.
BANNOCKS O' BEAR-MILL. '
In this note, and in a variety of other places, Mr Sten-
house has referred to the volume published by Robert H.
Cromek, under the title of " Reliques of Nithsdale and
Galloway Song," London, 1810, 8vo, and has usually coup-
led such references with remarks not altogether called for.
Mr S. might have known, that the volume which is so
often the subject of his abuse, consisted, in fact, almost
wholly of verses written by Mr Allan Cunningham, who,
in a very harmless way, had imposed on Mr Cromek's cre-
dulity. The success that attended his " Reliques of
Burns," had induced Cromek to glean what he considered
the neglected minstrelsy of that district ; and various cir-
cumstances at the time, led his friend to rather an extensive
manufacture of traditional Songs and Ballads ; but few
persons were deceived as to the genuineness of such pre-
tended originals. See an article in Blackwood's Maga-
zine, vol. vi. p. 314. Mr Cromek himself was much es-
teemed for his enthusiastic attachment to the Fine Arts.
Mr Cunningham, in a letter of a late date, says, " I loved
the man much : he had a good taste, both in Poetry and
Painting, and his heart was warm and kind : I have missed
him much." He died at London, 14th of March 1812,
aged about forty-five. He was the publisher, by subscrip-
BANNOCKS O' BEAR-MILL. * 457
tion, of the large and splendid edition of Blair's Grave, with
original designs by Blake, in 1808. This edition was again
published, or re-issued, by Ackermann of the Strand,-
London, with a short memoir of Mr Cromek prefixed, but
I have not been able to see a copy of that new edition in
Edinburgh.
CCCCLXXXII.
SIR PATRICK SPENCE.
This ballad has usually been regarded as one of the oldest
in the series of Scotish Historical Ballads. In referring to
it in a former note (see p. * 320), I forgot that it was in-
cluded in this work ; but I shall now take the liberty of add-
ing a few more words respecting it. That the ballad was in-
tended to embody some remote event in Scotish history,
is quite evident ; and it would have been difficult to fix on
a more poetical incident than it presents, although not
strictly adhering to historical facts. Had the ballad really
possessed any claims to such high antiquity as would fix its
composition near to the epoch of Margaret, the " Maiden of
Norway," on whom her grandfather, Alexander the Third,
had devolved the Crown of Scotland before the close of the
thirteenth century, it is hardly conceivable that it should -
never have been heard of till it was sent to Bishop Percy,
in 1765, by some of his correspondents in Scotland, along
with other traditional ballads of still more questionable an-
tiquity. Since his time, it has been printed in a hundred
different shapes, generally with some additional verses or
improvements " fortunately recovered," &c., but most of
which improvements are palpable interpolations.
On referring to Finlay's " Scottish Historical and
Romantic Ballads," vol. i. p. 46, Edinb. 1808, I find the
following remark : " The present editor, however, cannot
think that the ballad, as it is, has a claim to such high
antiquity. Indeed, the mention of hats and cork-heeled
shoon, would lead us to infer that some stanzas are inter-
458 * SIR PATRICK SPENCE.
polated, or that its composition is of a comparatively modern
date." Bishop Percy also remarks (vol. i. p. 81, note), that
" an ingenious friend thinks the author of Hardyknute has
borrowed several expressions and sentiments from the fore-
going and other old Scottish songs in this collection." It
vpas this resemblance, with the localities Dunfermline and
Aberdour, in the neighbourhood of Sir Henry Wardlaw's
seat, that led me to throw out the conjecture, whether this
much admired ballad might not have been written by Lady
Wardlaw herself, to whom the ballad of " Hardyknute" is
now universally attributed.
The ballad, accompanied with two different sets of the
air, will also be found in the second volume of Campbell's
Albyn's Anthology.
Coleridge, at the commencement of one of his Odes,
thus alludes to " Sir Patrick Spence," after quoting as a
motto, the lines " Late^ late, yestreen"
Well ! if the Bard was weather-wise, who made
The gkand old ballad of Sir Patrick Spence ;
This night, so tranquil now, will not go hence
Unroused by winds, &c.
CCCCLXXXIV.
GDDE WALLACE.
This is another ballad of an alleged antiquity, the cor-
rectness of which may reasonably be doubted. I am per-
suaded it is merely an altered or abridged copy of one
that appeared in a common chap form, along with some
Jacobite ballads, printed about the year 1750. The follow-
ing is a copy of the ballad in question, which seems, in
fact, to be only a passage in Blind Harry the Minstrel's
poem modernized, (Book V.)
ON AN HONOURABLE ACHIEVEMENT OF SIR WILLIAM
WALLACE, NEAR FALKIRK.
" Had we a king," said Wallace then,
" That our kind Scots might live by their own.
GUDE WALLACE. * 459
But betwixt me and the English blood
I think there is an ill seed sown."
Wallace him over a river lap.
He look'd low down to a linn ;
He was not war of a gay lady.
Was even at the well washing.
" Well mot ye fare, fair Madam," he said,
" And ay well mot ye fare ; and see !
Have ye any tidings me to tell,
I pray you'll show them unto me ?"
I have no tidings you to tell.
Nor yet no tidings you to ken ;
But into that hostler's house
There's fifteen of your Englishmen :
And they are seeking Wallace, then.
For they've ordained him to be slain ;
O, God forbid ! said Wallace then.
For he's o'er good a kind Scotsman.
But had I money me upon.
And ev'n this day, as I have none.
Then would I to that hostler's house,
And ev'n as fast as I could gang.
She put her hand in her pocket.
She told him twenty shillings o'er her knee :
Then he took ofiF both hat and hood.
And thank'd the lady most reverently.
If e'er I come this way again.
Well paid money it shall be ;
Then he took off both hat and hood.
And he thank'd the lady most reverently.
He lean'd him two-fold o'er a staff.
So did he three-fold o'er a tree ;
And he's away to the hostler's house.
Even as fast as he might dree.
When he came to the hostler's house.
He said. Good-ben, quoth he, be here.
An English captain being deep load.
He asked him right canker' dly.
Where was you born, thou crooked carle.
And in what place and what country ?
'Tis I was born in fair Scotland,
A crooked carle although I be.
The English captain swore by th' Rood,
We are Scotsmen as well as thee.
And we are seeking Wallace, then
To have him, merry we should be.
460 * GUDE WALLACE.
The man, said Wallace, ye're looking for,
I seed him within these days three,
And he has slain an English captain.
And ay the fear'der the rest may be.
I'd give twenty shillings, said the captain.
To such a crooked carle as thee.
If you would take me to the place
Where that I might proud Wallace see.
Hold out your hand, said Wallace then.
And show your money and be free,
For tho' you'd bid an hundred pound,
I never bade a better bode.
He struck the captain o'er the chafts.
Till that he never chewed more.
He stick' d the rest about the board.
And left them all a sprawling there.
Rise up, goodwife, said Wallace then.
And give me something for to eat.
For it's near two days to an end
Since I tasted one bit of meat.
His board was scarcely well covered.
Nor yet his dine well scantly dight.
Till other fifteen Englishmen
Down all about the door did light.
Come out, come out, said they, Wallace then,,
For the day is come that ye must die ;
And they thought so little of his might.
But ay the fear'der they might be.
The wife ran but, the gudeman ran ben,
It put them all into a fever ;
Then five he sticked where they stood.
And five he trampled in the gutter.
And five he chased to yon green wood.
He hanged them all out o'er a grain ;
And 'gainst the morn at twelve o'clock
He dined with his kind Scottish men.
Bower, the continuator of Fordun, thus mentions the cir-
cumstance of Wallace's exploits being frequently celebrated
in verse : — " Post enim conflictum de Roslyn, (A.D. 1298.)
Wallace, ascensa navi, Franciam petiit ; ubi quanta probitate
refulsit, tam super mare a piratis quam in Francia ab Anglis
perpessus est discrimina, et viriliter se habuit, nonnulla car-
mina, tam in ipsa Francia quam Scotia, attestantur." (vol. ii.
> 176.)
THE AULD man's MARe's DEAD. * 461
CCCCLXXXV,
THE AULD man's MARE's DEAD.
There is an admirable portrait of Patie Birnie, the
famous fiddler of Kinghorn — a face full of comic humour
and indicative of genius — at Leslie House. It is supposed
to have been painted by Aikman, who died in 1731 ; and
the old head of Patie, with Ramsay's lines, is also said to
have been etched by Aikman from his own drawing in red
chalk, which was sold at a sale in Edinburgh a few years
ago.
CCCCLXXXVII.
GOOD-MORROW, FAIR MISTRESS.
'* This fragment seems to be part of an English ballad,
called « The Duchess of Newcastle's Lament," — it begins.
There is not a taylor in all London town
Can shape Newcastle's fair lady a gown,
" Her belly's turn'd big and her face pale and wan ;
She's fallen with child to her own servant man.
*****
Thou worst of all women, thou emblem of strife,
I took thee a servant and made thee my wife, &c.
(C. K. S.)
CCCCLXXXIX.
NO DOMINIES FOR ME, LADDIE.
This song has been variously attributed. The following
extract respecting it, is copied from Buchan's " Gleanings
of Scarce Old Ballads," Peterhead, 1825, 12mo:—
" The author of this excellent song," says Mr B., "was
the Rev. John Forbes, Minister at Deer, Aberdeenshire.
This eccentric character was born at Pitnacalder, a small
estate near Frazerburgh, of which his father was proprietor.
From the name of his paternal spot, he was commonly
designated Pitney, and better known by that appellation
than that of his office. In his younger years, and before
46*2 * NO DOMINIES FOR ME, LADDIE.
he was appointed incumbent at Deer, he wrote the well-
known song of ' Nae Dominies for me, Laddie,' which seems
to be a picture of himself drawn from real life, and which he
took the greatest delight in singing, and hearing sung.
" He was a rigid Presbyterian, and said by some to
possess the gift of prophecy. Many curious anecdotes are
told of him. He died in 1769, and was buried in the
churchyard of Old Deer, where a plain stone is placed to
his memory, bearing the following appropriate inscription :
* Dedicated by Mrs Margaret Hay, widow, to the memory
of John Forbes of Pitnacalder, M.A., Minister of Deer,
who died anno 1769, in the 81st year of his age, and the
52d of his ministry. With a manly figure he possessed the
literature of the scholar, the elocution of the preacher, and
the accomplishment of the gentleman. As a pastor, his
character was distinguished by piety, virtue, and entire
devotion to the cause of Christ. Beloved by his relatives,
respected by his acquaintances, venerated by the body of
his people ; his life was useful, and his end was peace.' "
The ballad has been preserved in the form of a broad-
side, printed apparently about the year 1740. Mr Sten-
house, in his note at page 431, states, that he was credibly
informed it " was written by the late Rev. Mr Nathaniel
M'Kay (M'Kie), Minister of Cjossmichael, in the stew-
artry of Kirkcudbright." The above account seems, how-
ever, the most probable ; but it may be added, that the
Rev. Nathaniel M'Kie, Minister of Crossmichael, was
a writer of verses. About the middle of the last century,
John Gordon of Kenmure, Esq., commonly called Lord
Kenmure, addressed a letter in verse to the Rev. Nathaniel
M'Kie, challenging him to a game at curling. This rhym-
ing epistle, with the answer by Mr M'Kie, also in verse,
and Lord Kenmure's rejoinder, are preserved in a volume
entitled, " Memorabilia Curliana Mabenensia," p. 95.
Dumfries, 1830, 8vo.
Mr M'Kie died at his manse of Crossmichael, 26th of
NO DOMINIES FOR ME, LADDIE. * 463
January 1781, in the 66th year of his age, and 42d of his
ministry. (Scots Mag. 1781, p. 53.)
ccccxci.
THE WEE WIFEIKIE.
Alexander Geddes, LL. D., the author of this song
and of " Lewis Gordon," No. lxxxvi., is mentioned by Mr
S. in his note on the latter song, at p. 90. Of this singular
person, a detailed biography was published under the title of
" Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Reverend Alex-
ander Geddes, LL.D. By John Mason Good." London,
1803, 8vo. Geddes was born in the county of BaniF, in
the year 1737. Being destined for the Roman Catholic
Church, after a preliminary education at Scalan, a seminary
in the Highlands, he spent six years in the Scots College at
Paris, and returned to Scotland, where he officiated as a
priest in different parts of the country. The University of
Aberdeen, in 1780, conferred on him the degree of Doctor
of Laws ; and at this time he removed to London, where
he remained till his death, which took place on the 26th
of February 1802, in the 65th year of his age.
Dr Mason Good has given a very graphic description of
his person and manners, on being first introduced to this
learned but eccentric character. It may be here quoted : —
" It was about this period, the year 1793, I first became
acquainted with Dr Geddes. I met him accidentally at
the house of Miss Hamilton, who has lately acquired a just
reputation for her excellent Letters on Education : and I
freely confess that, at the first interview, I was by no means
pleased with him. I beheld a man of about five feet five
inches high, in a black dress, put on with uncommon negli-
gence, and apparently never fitted to his form : His figure
was lank, his face meagre, his hair black, long, and loose,
without having been sufficiently submitted to the operations
of the toilet — and his eyes, though quick and vivid, spark-
464 * THE WEE WIFEIKIE.
ling at that time rather with irritability than benevolence.
He was disputing with one of the Company when I entered,
and the rapidity with which, at this moment, he left his
chair, and rushed, with an elevated tone of voice and un-
courtly dogmatism of manner, towards his opponent, in-
stantaneously persuaded me that the subject upon which
the debate turned was of the utmost moment. I listened
with all the attention I could command ; and in a few
minutes learned, to my astonishment, that it related to no-
thing more than the distance of his own house in the New
Road, Paddington, from the place of our meeting, which
was in Guildford Street. The debate being at length con-
cluded, or rather worn out, the doctor took possession of
the next chair to that in which 1 was seated, and united
with myself and a friend who sat on my other side, in dis-
coursing upon the politics of the day. On this topic we
proceeded smoothly and accordantly for some time ; till at
length, disagreeing with us upon some point as trivial as
the former, he again rose abruptly from his seat, traversed
the room in every direction, with as indeterminate a paral-
lax as that of a comet, loudly, and with increase of voice,
maintaining his position at every step he took. Not wish-
ing to prolong the dispute, we yielded to him without
further interruption, and, in the course of a few minutes
after he had closed his harangue, he again approached us,
retook possession of his chair, and was all playfulness, good
humour, and genuine wit." (p. 302.)
CCCCXCII.
THERE GROWS A BONNIE BRIER BUSH.
" Mr Robert Chambers has written an excellent song
to this air, only to be found in a volume of his poetry not
printed for sale — by his permission it is here inserted." —
(C.K.S.)
THERE GROWS A BONNIE BRIER BUSH. * 465
YOUNG RA.NDAL.
Young Randal was a bonnie lad, when he gaed awa'.
Young Randal was a bonnie lad, when he gaed awa' ;
'Twas in the sixteen hundred year o' grace and thretty-twa,
That Randal, the Laird's youngest son, gaed awa'.
It was to seek his fortune in the High Germanie,
To fecht the foreign loons in the High Germanie,
That he left his father's tower o' sweet Willanslee,
And mony wae friends i' the North Countrie.
He left his mother in her bower, his father in the ha'.
His brother at the outer yett, but and his sisters twa.
And his bonnie cousin Jean, that look'd owre the Castle wa'.
And, mair than a' the lave, loot the tears down fa'.
" Oh, whan will ye be back," sae kindly did she spier,
" Oh, whan will ye be back, my hinny and my dear ?"
" Whenever I can win eneuch o' Spanish gear.
To dress ye out in pearlins and silks, my dear."
Oh, Randal's hair was coal-black when he gaed awa'.
Oh, Randal's cheeks were roses red, when he gaed awa'.
And in his bonnie ee, a spark glintit high.
Like the merrie, merrie ieefe, in the morning sky.
Oh, Randal was an altert man whan he came hame,
A sair altert man was he, whan he came hame ;
Wi' a ribbon at his breast, and a sir at his name.
And grey, grey cheeks, did Randal come hame.
He lichtit at the outer yett, and rispit wi' the ring,
And down came a ladye to see him come in.
And after the ladye came bairns feifteen —
" Can this muckle wife be my true love, Jean ?"
" Whatna stoure carl is this," quo' the dame;
" Sae gruff and sae grand, and sae feckless and sae lame ?"
*' Oh, tell me, fair madam, are ye bonnie Jeanie Grahame?'
" In troth," quo' the ladye, " sweet sir, the very same."
He turned him about, wi' a waeful ee,
And a heart as sair as sair could be ;
He lap on his horse, and awa' did wildly flee.
And never mair came back to sweet Willanslee,
466 * THERE GROWS A BONNIE BRIER BUSH.
Oh, dule on the poortith o' this countrie.
And dule on the wars o' the High Germanie,
And dule on the love that forgetfu' can be —
For they've wreck'd the bravest heart in this hale countrie.
The mention of Dr Austin's name in this note, furnishes
an opportunity of adding to the notice at page 214, that
Adam Austin received his degree of M.D. at Glasgow,
15th of May 1749 ; that he was licensed to practise, by the
Royal College of Physicians at Edinburgh, 7th of August
1753; and that he was admitted a Fellow of the College,
3d of August 1762.
CCCCXCIX.
GLtDOMY DECEMBER.
These pathetic verses were addressed by Burns to Cla-
rinda, otherwise Mrs M'Lehose. — See Mr Cunningham's
edit, of Burns, vol. iv. p. 330.
CCCCXCVII.
IT WAS a' for our RIGHTFU' KING.
<' These verses were not entirely, if indeed at all, the
composition of Burns ; one stanza at least belongs to a bal-
lad, very common formerly among the Scotish hawkers,
called bonny Mally Stuart. I give it entire from my stall
copy.
1.
The cold winter is past and gone.
And now comes on the spring.
And I am one of the King's life-guards.
And I must go fight for him, my dear.
And I must go fight for my king.
2.
Now since to the wars you must go,
One thing, I pray, grant me.
It's I will dress myself in man's attire.
And I will travel along with thee, my dear.
And I wiU travel along with thee.
IT WAS a' for our RIGHTFu' KING. * 467
3.
I would not for ten thousand worlds
That my love endanger'd were,*
The rattling drums and shining swords
Will cause you great sorrow and woe, my dear,
WiU cause you great sorrow and woe.
4.
I will do the thing for my true love
That she wiU not do for me ;
It's I'll put cuflFs of black on my red clothes.
And mourn till the day I die, my dear.
And mourn till the day I die.
5.
I will do more for my true love
Than she will do for me ;
I will cut my hair, and roll me bare.
And mourn till the day I die, my dear.
And mourn tUl the day I die.
6.
So farewell my father and mother dear,
I'll bid adieu and farewell ;t
Farewell my bonny Mally Stuart, ^
You're the cause of all my woe, my dear.
You're the cause of all my woe.
7.
When we came in to Stirling town.
As we all lay in camp :$
By the King's orders we were drawn.
And to Germany we were sent, my dear.
And to Germany we were sent.
8.
So farewell bonny Stirling town.
And the maids therein also.
And farewell bonny Mally Stuart,
You're the cause of all my woe, my dear.
You're the cause of all my woe.
• Probably this should be, " That my love were endangered so.
t Probably, " I'll bid farewell and adieu !"
X " Tent," perhaps.
468 * IT WAS a' for our rightfu' king.
9.
She took the slippers off her feet.
And the cockups off her hair.
And she has taken a long journey.
For seven long y^ars and mair, my dear.
For seven long years and mair.
10.
Sometimes she rode, sometimes she gaed.
Sometimes sat down to mourn ;
And aye the o'er word of her tale.
Shall I e'^er see my bonny laddie come ? my dear,*
Shall I e'er see my bonny laddie come ?
11.
The trooper turn'd himself about.
All on the Irish shore ;
He has given the bridle reins a shake.
Saying, adieu for evermore, my dear.
Saying, adieu for evermore !
" The ballad, as it appears in the Museum, was much
admired by Sir Walter Scott ; he was delighted to hear it
sung by his daughter, Mrs Loekhart." — (C. K. S.)
D.
EVAN BANKSo
Johnson committed a mistake in affixing the name of
Burns to this song, and various editors of his works, by
trusting to this, have fallen into a similar mistake, Currie,
aware of this error, withdrew it in his second edition. But
Cromek in the " Reliques," having given the song anew in
Burns's name, Sir Walter Scott, in an article in the Quar-
terly Review on that volume, says, " Mr Cromek ought to
have known that this beautiful song was published by Dr
Currie in his first edition of Burns's works, and omitted in
all those which followed, because it was ascertained to be
the composition of Helen Maria Williams, who wrote it at
" " Shall I e'er see my bonny lad return ?"
EVAN BANKS. * 469
the request of Dr Wood. Its being found in the hand- writ-
ing of Burns occasioned the first mistake, but the correction
of that mistake leaves no apology for a second." (vol. i.
p. 34.)
Helen Maria Williams was born in the North of Eng-
land in 1762. In the earlier part of her life she published
various poems which attracted notice at the time when such
writers as Hooke, Hayley, Seward, and Pye, flourished,
and were in vogue. She resided at Paris during the time
of the French Revolution, devoting herself to literary pur-
suits, and was best known by her " Letters written from
France, &c." She was also the translator of Humboldt's
Personal Narrative. She died at Paris in December 1827.
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