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.
is a particular flame of his, and out of compliment to him I have made
the song.
Robert Burns
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. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 232: Song CCII. ]
[Footnote 233: Song CCIII. ]
* * * * *
CCLXVII.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[Burns was fond of expressive words: "Gloaming, the twilight," says
Currie, "is a beautiful poetic word, which ought to be adopted in
England. " Burns and Scott have made the Scottish language popular over
the world. ]
_August_, 1793.
That tune, "Cauld kail," is such a favourite of yours, that I once
more roved out yesterday for a gloamin-shot at the muses; when the
muse that presides o'er the shores of Nith, or rather my old inspiring
dearest nymph, Coila, whispered me the following. I have two reasons
for thinking that it was my early, sweet simple inspirer that was by
my elbow, "smooth gliding without step," and pouring the song on my
glowing fancy.
