The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 286

BEWARE O' BONNIE ANN.

I composed this song out of compliment to Miss Ann Masterton, the daughter of my friend Allan Masterton, the author of the air of Strathallan's Lament, and two or three others in this work.

THIS IS NO MINE AIN HOUSE.

The first half stanza is old, the rest is Ramsay's. The old words are--

"This is no mine ain house, My ain house, my ain house; This is no mine ain house, I ken by the biggin o't.

Bread and cheese are my door-cheeks, My door-cheeks, my door-cheeks; Bread and cheese are my door-cheeks, And pancakes the riggin o't.

This is no my ain wean; My ain wean, my ain wean; This is no my ain wean, I ken by the greetie o't.

I'll tak the curchie aff my head, Aff my head, aff my head; I'll tak the curchie aff my head, And row't about the feetie o't."

The tune is an old Highland air, called "Shuan truish willighan."

LADDIE, LIE NEAR ME.

This song is by Blacklock.

THE GARDENER AND HIS PAIDLE.

This air is the "Gardener's March." The t.i.tle of the song only is old; the rest is mine.

THE DAY RETURNS, MY BOSOM BURNS.

Tune.--"Seventh of November."

I composed this song out of compliment to one of the happiest and worthiest married couples in the world, Robert Riddel, Esq., of Glenriddel, and his lady. At their fire-side I have enjoyed more pleasant evenings than at all the houses of fas.h.i.+onable people in this country put together; and to their kindness and hospitality I am indebted for many of the happiest hours of my life.

THE GABERLUNZIE MAN.

The "Gaberlunzie Man" is supposed to commemorate an intrigue of James the Fifth. Mr. Callander, of Craigforth, published some years ago an edition of "Christ's Kirk on the Green," and the "Gaberlunzie Man,"

with notes critical and historical. James the Fifth is said to have been fond of Gosford, in Aberlady parish, and that it was suspected by his contemporaries, that in his frequent excursions to that part of the country, he had other purposes in view besides golfing and archery. Three favourite ladies, Sandilands, Weir, and Oliphant (one of them resided at Gosford, and the others in the neighbourhood), were occasionally visited by their royal and gallant admirer, which gave rise to the following advice to his majesty, from Sir David Lindsay, of the Mount, Lord Lyon.

"Sow not your seed on Sandylands, spend not your strength in Weir, And ride not on an Elephant, For gawing o' your gear."

MY BONNIE MARY.

This air is Oswald's; the first half stanza of the song is old, the rest mine.

THE BLACK EAGLE.

This song is by Dr. Fordyce, whose merits as a prose writer are well known.

JAMIE, COME TRY ME.

This air is Oswald's; the song mine.

THE LAZY MIST.

This song is mine.

JOHNIE COPE.

This satirical song was composed to commemorate General Cope's defeat at Preston Pans, in 1745, when he marched against the Clans.

The air was the tune of an old song, of which I have heard some verses, but now only remember the t.i.tle, which was,

"Will ye go the coals in the morning."

I LOVE MY JEAN.