The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 290

The old name of this tune is,--

"Whare'll our gudeman lie."

A silly old stanza of it runs thus--

"O whare'll our gudeman lie, Gudeman lie, gudeman lie, O whare'll our gudeman lie, Till he shute o'er the simmer?

Up amang the hen-bawks, The hen-bawks, the hen-bawks, Up amang the hen-bawks, Amang the rotten timmer."

GALLOWAY TAM.

I have seen an interlude (acted at a wedding) to this tune, called "The Wooing of the Maiden." These entertainments are now much worn out in this part of Scotland. Two are still retained in Nithsdale, viz.

"Silly Pure Auld Glenae," and this one, "The Wooing of the Maiden."

AS I CAM DOWN BY YON CASTLE WA.

This is a very popular Ayrs.h.i.+re song.

LORD RONALD MY SON.

This air, a very favourite one in Ayrs.h.i.+re, is evidently the original of Lochaber. In this manner most of our finest more modern airs have had their origin. Some early minstrel, or musical shepherd, composed the simple, artless original air; which being picked up by the more learned musician, took the improved form it bears.

O'ER THE MOOR AMANG THE HEATHER.

This song is the composition of a Jean Glover, a girl who was not only a wh.o.r.e, but also a thief; and in one or other character has visited most of the Correction Houses in the West. She was born I believe in Kilmarnock,--I took the song down from her singing, as she was strolling through the country, with a sleight-of-hand blackguard.

TO THE ROSE-BUD.

This song is the composition of a ---- Johnson, a joiner in the neighbourhood of Belfast. The tune is by Oswald, altered, evidently, from "Jockie's Gray Breeks."

YON WILD MOSSY MOUNTAINS.

This tune is by Oswald. The song alludes to a part of my private history, which it is of no consequence to the world to know.

IT IS NA, JEAN, THY BONNIE FACE.

These were originally English verses:--I gave them the Scots dress.

EPPIE M'NAB.

The old song with this t.i.tle has more wit than decency.

WHA IS THAT AT MY BOWER DOOR.

This tune is also known by the name of "La.s.s an I come near thee." The words are mine.

THOU ART GANE AWA.

This time is the same with "Haud awa frae me, Donald."

THE TEARS I SHED MUST EVER FALL.

This song of genius was composed by a Miss Cranston. It wanted four lines, to make all the stanzas suit the music, which I added, and are the four first of the last stanza.

"No cold approach, no alter'd mien, Just what would make suspicion start; No pause the dire extremes between, He made me blest--and broke my heart!"

THE BONIE WEE THING.

Composed on my little idol "the charming, lovely Davies."