Letter to James Barr: 24 December 1809
Mr James Barr Musician Stewarton Barrochan
Jean Tune
––– Johnie Macgill. ____________________ It’s hinna ye heard
man o’ Barrochan Jean? And hinna ye heard
man o’ Barrochan Jean! Slow death and
starvation cam owr the hale nation, She wrocht sic
mischief wi’ her twa pauky ein. The lads and the
lasses war’ deean in dizzens The taen kill’t wi’ love and the tither wi’ spleen, The plewin, the
sawin, the shearin, the mawin, A’ wark was forgotten
for Barrochan Jean. Frae the south and
the north owr the Tweed & the Forth, Sic comin’ and
gangin’ there never was seen The comers war’
cheery, the gangers war’ blearie Despairing, or hoping
for Barrochan Jean. The carlins at hame
war’ a girnin’ and granin’ The bairns war’ a
greetin grae morning till e’en They gat naething for
crowdy but runts boil’t to sowdy For
naething gat growin’, for Barrochan Jean. The Doctors declar’d
it was past their descriving The Ministers said
’twas a judgment for sin But they looket sae
blae, and their hearts war’ sae wae, I
was sure they war’ deean for Barrochan Jena. The burns on
road-sides war’ a dry wi’ their drinkin’ Yet a’ wadna sloken
the drouth i’ their skin A’ around the
peat-stacks, and alangst the dyke-backs, E’en the wins war’ a’
sighin’, sweet Barrochan Jean! The [#] The timmer ran done
wi’ the makin’ o’ Coffins, Kirkyards o’ their
swaird war’ a’ howket fow clean, Dead Lovers war’
packet like herren’ in barrels, Sic thousands war’ deean
for Barrochan Jean! But mony braw thanks
to the Laird o’ Glen-brodie The grass owr their
graffs is now bonie and green He sta’ the proud
heart of our wanton young Lady And
spoil’t a’ the charm o’ her twa pauky ein. [#] Paisley
24th Decr 1809 My Dear Friend According
to promise I have transcribed you the foregoing song. You will no doubt have
frequently observed how much some old people are given to magnify the
occurrencies of their young days. Barrochan Jean was written on hearing an old Grannie
in Lochwinnoch parish relating a story something simular to the subject of the
song: perhaps I have heightened her colouring a little. You will see by one of
the enclosed Concert Bills1 that we
are to have a caper at Elderslie on New-years-day night, Gale is to be there,
Stuart is to be there, Smith tells me he will likely be there — would that I
could say, Barr will also be there. We only want you, and one other sterling
fellow to complete the best quorum that ever sacrificed Interest at the shrine of
Sociality. I would not write to you on this ugly tea-paper but ’tis Sunday and
I can procure no other —— Have you ever felt what our great folks call ennui?
I know it only by name; pushing hard thro’ the week to keep poverty at a
respectful distance. Keeps the dull, weary, gaunting Goddess far from my
door, and I am often busied on this thrice sacred day in performing some of the
duties of Friendship. Save to hear Mr Boog preach I consider
it only an unbenifiting passing of time to go to any other of our —— No – I
have gone rather far, and will stop. Some of these old Bills may perhaps be new
to you. Wishing you every happiness, I remain yours
most faithfully R.
Tannahill. Copy Text: MS Robertson 1/34 Previous Publication: |