Letter to James Clark: 22 November 1809
Mr James Clark Musician Argyle-Shire
Militia Band In
“Ayr, whom ne’er a Town surpasses, For
honest men, & bonnie Lasses.” Paisley
22d Novr 1809 Have
you never, my Dear friend, when in company with those you highly esteemed,
complimented yourself in being equally beloved, and acquainted with such
glorious fellows? With a certain few, who shall be nameless, farer than in the
enclosed song, I have at times felt myself stand in my shoes five goodly inches
taller (Tell it not to Tom) than ever old Mother Nature would allow me. When
settled at my work last week and having time to reflect on the circumstances of
our last Meeting, I was sorry to think we had passed so many hours with so
little enjoyment: let Fair-times account for it. I was in Co. with Wm
and his brother last night. Have you any word for Clark, says I, I am
going to write to him? Yes, says Robin, tell him I am extremely obliged
to him for calling on me when he was last in Town – No, said I, I’ll
tell him no such thing – Weel, quo’ he, tell him I would have ˄been˄
very happy to have seen him, and am sorry that I missed him – tell him
likewise, Bob, says he, to send me, as he promised, Lord John of Argyle’s
Strathspey. William has his kindest compliments to you. I wish much, from a
very particular reason, to have the Air of Peggy O’Leven you must know
it, I have frequently heard it played as a regimental Retreat, you may perhaps
not know it by name — I will try to prick out the outlines of it, and you’ll
oblige me much by send˄ing˄ me a correct set as soon as possible. Peggy
O’Leven –– Is this the name you give it? [2 lines
music] [Written over the last bars] Now dont be laughing at my musicals – | you may perhaps guess the Air I mean
from the above. [#] There
is nothing much worth notice going on here at present – I hear Mr
Cumming is going to have a Concert on Friday se’enight. he
wanted Will to sing a couple of solos, I understand that he would not
comply, but promis’d to take a part in any of the Glees, providing, Mr
Gale was to be out. Did
you see our good friend Barr on your way to Ayr,? I
should be very happy to hear of his being situated to his liking. Tell me how
he is getting on. I have not yet shown the following rant to any body,
inform me whether you think it will stand – ’tis but two days old, and I cannot
yet judge of it with any degree of precision. You are capable to judge of all
the verses save the 2d – tell me, shall I burn them or shew
them to our friends – I shall be grievously disapointed if you bid me not do
the latter — Hoping to hear from you in the course of a few days, I remain, in sterling
faith, Yours R.
Tannahill. [#] The
Five Friends. A
Scottish Song. Tune –––
“We’re a’ nid noddin.” ______________________ Weel, wha’s i’ the
Bouroch, [symbol: + with 4 dots in cross
corners] and what is your cheer? The best that ye’ll
fin’ in a thousand year, And we’re a’ noddin, nid nid noddin, We’re a noddin fou at e’en. There our ain Jamie
C++++, frae the Hall of Argyle, Wi’ his leal Scottish
heart, and his kind open smile, And we’re a’ noddin, &c. There is Will, the
gude fallow, wha’ kills a’ our care, Wi’ his sang and his
joke — and a mutchkin mair, And we’re a’ noddin, &c. There is blythe Jamie
B+++, frae St Barchan’s Town, When Wit gets a
kingdom he’s sure o’ the crown, And we’re a’ noddin &c. There is Rab frae the
south, wi’ his fiddle and his flute, I cou’d list to his
Sangs till the starns fa’ out, And we’re a’ noddin &c. Apollo, for our
comfort, has furnish’d the bowl, And here is my
Bardship as blind as an owl, For we’re a’
noddin &c. Tho’ the hale Town o’
Paisley may jingle us their bells, Yet the lord forbid
we should jingle them oursel’s, When we’re a noddin, nid nid noddin, A’ noddin fou at
e’er. __________________ [symbol: + with 4 dots in cross corners] Bouroch is either Gaelic
or old Scotch, and means, a core, meeting, or something near
it ——— Are you acquainted with the word? Copy Text: MS Robertson 1/30 Previous Publications: Notes: |