Letter to James Clark: 27 February 1808
Mr James Clark,
Musician Argyle-Shire
Militia Band Aberdeen Paisley
27th Feby 1808 My Dear Friend. Conscience has
rather been in a grumpish mood for some time past, on account of my delaying so
long to write to you; so to ease it a little, I dedicate an hour of this good
Saterday-afternoon, to relieve me of a Debt which I feel considerable pleasure
in paying. You are sensible that fine-spun Letter Writing has never been any
part of my study, therefore, must be contented with whatever the present moment
presents to my recollection. Has Mr Stuart yet written to
you? He was here at Mr Smith’s Concert about six weeks ago —
he said he would write as soon as he returned to Greenock. Our friend S. had a
most noble concert, all the big Nobs an’ wee Nobs of the Town
attended, and all seemed to be highly pleased — Our Trade being so low few
working ˄people˄ were at it. One thing I must tell you, Mr
Smith’s voice, from being obliged to extend it in the church, is now
considerably stronger, and his singing met on that night with much
applause. He is likewise proceeding pretty well in the Teaching line, and I am
sure it will afford you a high gratification to hear of the success of one who
well deserves it, and who, as a friend is most dear to you. I understand that Mr
Stuart is likewise doing very well in Greenock, but some snailsoul’d, “rigidly
righteous” bodies in this place have done all in their power to prevent their Brethren
there from engaging him as their Precentor, alleging that he wasna’ ane o’
the godly, however the Greenock folks think more of him than turn him off
merely to please them, because he belongeth not unto their congregation.
Morover, our other very worthy, and much beloved cronie, warm-hearted, hairum
scairum Jamie Barr is getting on briskly in The Willie Cobreath Inn,
Kilbarchan; the last Burns’ Anniversary was held in his house; a greater number
attended than on former occassions, and I heard several of those who were there
express in high terms their satisfaction with the treatment our friend gave
them. Apropos, He is just now Publishing Anna’s Urn, and How blest
has my time been, harmonized as Glees. (Colonel Napier, of Miliken, was
buried yesterday.) Mr Smith too has shewn me a Letter, which
he had from a London house, asuring him that they have The Rosy Brier and another song of his (written
by Geo. Allan,) Published immediately —-- Now I have told you
all the news that I remember concerning our friends. I need not mention the
lowness of Trade, as so many of our Townsmen who have joined you afford a
melancholy proof of it, as yet it is no better,
however, work is rather plentier, and we of course are in hope that the
prices will rise soon. Give my compliments to John King. and
remember me to Whiteford an’ a wheen mae o’ them. Burns’ Anniversary was
held here with less spirit this year than formerly, the Kilbarchan meeting
surpass’d us in numbers; ours was compos’d mostly of, what people call the better
sort, that is of those into whose
pockets Fortune has thrown (in some cases blindly) five shillings while she has
left others with scarcely one brotherless penny. however,
the night was spent happily enough,
several Pieces of appropriate original Poetry were read some of them of
considerable poetical merit, but as I not seen the M.S. I cannot send you
copies of any of them. [#] Have you ever seen
The Dirge of Wallace, written by Thos Campbell.
I have a manuscript copy of it by me, if you have not, let me know and I will
transcribe it for you, but I think you must have seen it as you have a few lines from it in one of your former Letters.
I have written several songs
since you were last in Paisley; Mr Ross has
composed Music for some of them and has
promised to send me some copies of them as soon as Publish’d —— Do you now
correspond any with Mr Hamilton? I do’nt think he used our
friend Robert altogether well in leting his songs lie past so long — I
know that Smith sent him word some time
ago not to Publish them, but return him
the copies, yet he neither has sent them nor any thing concerning
them. The Maniac is just now in
London and will soon make its appearance along with the Rosy Brier. Here is
one of my new ones, – tell me how you think it will do, – Bob has promis’d me a
Tune for it. The Worn
Soldier A Ballad . _____________ The Queensferry Boatie
rows light, And light is the
heart that it bears For it brings the
worn soldier safe back to his home From
many long toilsome years. How sweet As they smile to the
beams of the west! But sweeter by far is
the sunshine of hope That gladdens the
soldier’s breast. I can well mark the
tears of his joy, As the wave-beaten
pier he ascends, For already in fancy
he enters his home Midst
the greetings of tender friends. But fled are his
vissions of bliss – All his transports but
’rose to deceive, For he found the dear
cottage a tenantless waste, And his kindred all
sunk Lend a sigh to the
soldier’s griefs, For now he is
helpless and poor, And, forc’d to
solicit a slender relief, He wanders from door
to door. To him let your
answers be mild, And, O to the
suff’rer be kind! For the look of
indiff’rence, the frown of disdain, Bear hard on a
generous mind. ______________ [#] I will give you another one which
I wrote some time ago, to the first two strains of Moira’s Welcome. It
appear’d in the Edinburgh Magazine for December last (or January) I do’nt
remember which. Scottish
Song ___________ Loudon’s bonnie woods
an’ braes, I maun lea’ them a’, lassie, Wha can thole when
Britain’s foes, Wou’d gi’e Britons law, lassie? Wha wou’d shun the
field of danger? Wha frae fame wou’d
live a stranger? Now, when Freedom
bids avenge her, Wha would wou’d
shun her ca’ lassie? Loudon’s bonny woods
an’ braes, Ha’e seen our happy
bridal days, An’ gentle hope will
soothe thy waes When I am far
awa’, lassie. Hark! the swelling bugle sings, It gies joy to thee, laddie But the dolefu’ bugle
brings Waefu’ thoughts to me, laddie: Lanely I may climb
the mountain, Lanely stray beside
the fountain, Still the weary moments
countin’ Far frae love and thee, laddie-- O’er the gory fields
o’ war When vengeance drives
his crimson car, Thou’lt may-be fa’
frae me afar An’ nane to
close thy e’e, laddie. O resume
thy wonted smile! O suppress
thy tears, lassie! Glorious honour crowns
the toil, That the soldier shares lassie; Heav’n will shield
thy faithfu lover, Till the vengefu’
strife is over, Then we’ll meet, nae
mair to sever Till the day we die, lassie, Midst our bonny woods
an’ braes We’ll spend our
peaceful, happy days As blithe’s yon
lightsome lamb that plays On Loudon’s
flow’ry lee, lassie. ______________ I understand Mrs Clark is well,
Smith told me he called on her last week in Kilbarchan. Do write soon, as it
adds considerably to my happiness in hearing from you frequently. So wishing
you may long enjoy health to “jirgum an’ diddle” I remain, Yours most sincerely, Robt
Tannahill. Emendations people • ˄people [written later in pencil]
Britons
• Briton soldier • soldier’s [subject verb agreement; defer to MS
Robertson 1/10] Copy Text: MS Robertson 1/12 Previous Publication: Notes: |