_
I shall withdraw my "On the seas and far away" altogether: it is
unequal, and unworthy the work.
I shall withdraw my "On the seas and far away" altogether: it is
unequal, and unworthy the work.
Robert Forst
This is just a hasty sketch, until I see whether it be worth a
critique. We have many sailor songs, but as far as I at present
recollect, they are mostly the effusions of the jovial sailor, not the
wailings of his love-lorn mistress. I must here make one sweet
exception--"Sweet Annie frae the sea-beach came. " Now for the song:--
How can my poor heart be glad. [258]
I give you leave to abuse this song, but do it in the spirit of
Christian meekness.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 258: Song CCXXIV. ]
* * * * *
CCC.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[The stream on the banks of which this song is supposed to be sung, is
known by three names, Cairn, Dalgonar, and Cluden. It rises under the
name of Cairn, runs through a wild country, under the name of
Dalgonar, affording fine trout-fishing as well as fine scenes, and
under that of Cluden it all but washes the walls of Lincluden College,
and then unites with the Nith. ]
_Sept. 1794.
_
I shall withdraw my "On the seas and far away" altogether: it is
unequal, and unworthy the work. Making a poem is like begetting a son:
you cannot know whether you have a wise man or a fool, until you
produce him to the world to try him.
For that reason I send you the offspring of my brain, abortions and
all; and, as such, pray look over them, and forgive them, and burn
them. I am flattered at your adopting "Ca' the yowes to the knowes,"
as it was owing to me that ever it saw the light. About seven years
ago I was well acquainted with a worthy little fellow of a clergyman,
a Mr. Clunie, who sang it charmingly; and, at my request, Mr. Clarke
took it down from his singing. When I gave it to Johnson, I added some
stanzas to the song, and mended others, but still it will not do for
you. In a solitary stroll which I took to-day, I tried my hand on a
few pastoral lines, following up the idea of the chorus, which I would
preserve. Here it is, with all its crudities and imperfections on its
head.
Ca' the yowes to the knowes, &c. [259]
I shall give you my opinion of your other newly adopted songs my first
scribbling fit.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 259: Song CCXXV. ]
* * * * *
CCCI.
