[Phillis, or
Philadelphia
M'Murdo, in whose honour Burns composed the
song beginning "Adown winding Nith I did wander," and several others,
died September 5th, 1825.
song beginning "Adown winding Nith I did wander," and several others,
died September 5th, 1825.
Robert Forst
I may be
wrong; but I think it not in my worst style. You must know, that in
Ramsay's Tea-table, where the modern song first appeared, the ancient
name of the tune, Allan says, is "Allan Water," or "My love Annie's
very bonnie. " This last has certainly been a line of the original
song; so I took up the idea, and, as you will see, have introduced the
line in its place, which I presume it formerly occupied; though I
likewise give you a choosing line, if it should not hit the cut of
your fancy:
By Allan stream I chanced to rove. [231]
Bravo! say I; it is a good song. Should you think so too (not else)
you can set the music to it, and let the other follow as English
verses.
Autumn is my propitious season. I make more verses in it than all the
year else. God bless you!
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 231: Song CCI. ]
* * * * *
CCLXVI.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[Phillis, or Philadelphia M'Murdo, in whose honour Burns composed the
song beginning "Adown winding Nith I did wander," and several others,
died September 5th, 1825. ]
_August_, 1793.
Is "Whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad," one of your airs? I admire
it much; and yesterday I set the following verses to it. Urbani, whom
I have met with here, begged them of me, as he admires the air much;
but as I understand that he looks with rather an evil eye on your
work, I did not choose to comply. However, if the song does not suit
your taste I may possibly send it him. The set of the air which I had
in my eye, is in Johnson's Museum.
O whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad. [232]
Another favourite air of mine is, "The muckin' o' Geordie's byre. "
When sung slow, with expression, I have wished that it had had better
poetry; that I have endeavoured to supply as follows:
Adown winding Nith I did wander. [233]
Mr. Clarke begs you to give Miss Phillis a corner in your book, as she
is a particular flame of his, and out of compliment to him I have made
the song. She is a Miss Phillis M'Murdo, sister to "Bonnie Jean. " They
are both pupils of his. You shall hear from me, the very first grist I
get from my rhyming-mill.
R.
wrong; but I think it not in my worst style. You must know, that in
Ramsay's Tea-table, where the modern song first appeared, the ancient
name of the tune, Allan says, is "Allan Water," or "My love Annie's
very bonnie. " This last has certainly been a line of the original
song; so I took up the idea, and, as you will see, have introduced the
line in its place, which I presume it formerly occupied; though I
likewise give you a choosing line, if it should not hit the cut of
your fancy:
By Allan stream I chanced to rove. [231]
Bravo! say I; it is a good song. Should you think so too (not else)
you can set the music to it, and let the other follow as English
verses.
Autumn is my propitious season. I make more verses in it than all the
year else. God bless you!
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 231: Song CCI. ]
* * * * *
CCLXVI.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[Phillis, or Philadelphia M'Murdo, in whose honour Burns composed the
song beginning "Adown winding Nith I did wander," and several others,
died September 5th, 1825. ]
_August_, 1793.
Is "Whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad," one of your airs? I admire
it much; and yesterday I set the following verses to it. Urbani, whom
I have met with here, begged them of me, as he admires the air much;
but as I understand that he looks with rather an evil eye on your
work, I did not choose to comply. However, if the song does not suit
your taste I may possibly send it him. The set of the air which I had
in my eye, is in Johnson's Museum.
O whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad. [232]
Another favourite air of mine is, "The muckin' o' Geordie's byre. "
When sung slow, with expression, I have wished that it had had better
poetry; that I have endeavoured to supply as follows:
Adown winding Nith I did wander. [233]
Mr. Clarke begs you to give Miss Phillis a corner in your book, as she
is a particular flame of his, and out of compliment to him I have made
the song. She is a Miss Phillis M'Murdo, sister to "Bonnie Jean. " They
are both pupils of his. You shall hear from me, the very first grist I
get from my rhyming-mill.
R.
