Letter to James Barr: 1 May 1806
According to promise, I herewith send you 4 vols. of the Selector. I would have sent them ere now, but could not get the last two volumes from the binder. With respect to writing to W. Livingstone, I could not conveniently go to Glasgow before the vessel sailed, besides it would have been a chance to have found Wilson (the man who brought his letter) after all; I therefore wrote to him on a large sheet, and copied yours verbatim. You may have the original first time I see you. Scadlock and I called on you at Kilbarchan about four Sundays since, but you were from home. If you come in at our fair, which is to-morrow fortnight, I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you. The elegy, in the enclosed No. of the Paisley Repository1 I believe was written upon John Findlay2 your old friend in Kilbarchan; this is printed from a copy which Wm. M'Neil had given to the publisher. I think a good deal of it. I am told that the lines by a “A Paisley Volunteer” are a Dr. Richmond’s3 in this town.
You wished me to mark what pieces were mine in the Selector. Vol. 1st:–"Prologue to the Gentle Shepherd," "Ode to Jealousy," "Lines to W. M'L——n," "The Ambitious Mite," Song–"The Negro Girl," Song–"Mine ain Dear Somebody." Vol. 2nd :–"The Birth of Burns," "The Bacchanalians." Vol. 3rd:–"Epistle to J—— S——." Vol 4th:–"Epistle to J.B." Song–"When Poortith Cauld."
You will observe several of the first signed "Modestus," but for anysake don’t impute it to me as ostentation. I gave them in anonymous, and the Editor added the signature, which, unhappily for me, to them who do not know, will appear something affectatious; but enough of self.
You will perhaps be curious to know the authors of the other originals in it. I will inform you as far as I know. The pieces signed "O.L.O.," by Mr. Robert Lochore,4 author of "Margat and the Minister." "The Hare," vol. 2nd, page 52, by John Stevenson, who formerly kept the Burns Tavern. The beautiful little pieces, dated Glasgow College, signed "W.D.H.M.," by a young Irish lad, who has now returned to his native country. "A, T---n," I am informed, is a tailor lad in Glasgow. 1st Ode for our last anniversary5, by John Struthers, shoemaker, Glasgow; 2nd do., by Mr. James Young, Glasgow. Those by "W.C.B.," a young clergyman at Kilsyth. Song, vol. 4th, signed "M.M.," a Mr. M'Millan, Glasgow. These are all that I know.
With regard to the little collection of airs which you are making out for me, I am certainly most indebted to you. I would wish the most of them to be such as I am little acquainted with, as you know I already have seen a number of our old standard airs, such as "Cowdenknowes," "Roslin Castle," "Bush aboon Traquair," &c.; but pray don't think me too nice, whichever pleases you will likely please me. I have been considering what ones I would like to see. Some of the following I know only by name :-
- Twine weel the plaidie.
- Sweet Annie frae the sea-beach came.
- The last time I came o'er the moor.
- I'll never leave thee.
- Loch Ness.--(I think they call it.)
- Maids of Arrochar
- Rosy Brier.--(I have it, but wish it in your collection.)
- Cumbernauld House. The Gaelic air which you mentioned in M'Donald's collection.
- Invercauld's Reel.
- Ellen o the Dee.
- Wat ye wha I met yestreen.
- Busk ye, busk ye, my bonny bride.
- But lately seen in gladsome green.
- Rothiemurchus Rant. (Do you know the Gaelic air of Burns?)
- Song--O wilt thou be my deary.
- Morneen I gaberlan. (If you have the set, which is in some one of Aird's vols.)
- The bonnie Earl of Hurray.
- Barbara Allan.
- Why, Owen, didst thou leave me?
It would be too much to expect you to write all these, but as many of them as you conveniently can will please me highly. The names of the different composers—as many of them as you know—will add value to it.
I will write you an attempt for your favourite air, but request you not to give away any copies of it, as it does not altogether please me.
6You will observe that the three first lines of the last verse want the starting note.
You will notice that I am hurried, therefore excuse inaccuracy. So I will bid you adieu till I see or hear from you.
Yours assuredly,
R. Tannahill
- Copy Text: Semple 1876
- Publication History:
- Provenance: ‘The original letter and song are in possession of James Caldwell, Esq., Craigielea.’ Semple 1876 p. 380
- Emendations and Textual Notes: "Epistle to J.B." • "Epistle to J.B.." [printing error]