Letter to John Crawford: 17 March 1810
Mr John
Crawford Largs Not[e] Paisley
17th March 1810 My Dear Friend I should have
thanked you a good while since for the amended copy of your song, it pleases me
now quite well. Mr Smith says he will perhaps set original
Music to it – he has had the song past him these two months but I know he has
been so throng thro’ the winter with his teaching that he has not had time to
compose any thing. Your song of “Now autumn waves her yellow grain,” will make
a good song, but you must yet retouch it. The 1st four lines
make a fine opening, but after mentioning “Autumn’s purest
azure skies,” the four lines which follow are perhaps tautological. The 1st
two of the 2d verse may lye under the same objection,
the rest of this Stanza pleases me very much. The concluding one I think will
do excellently; yet there is something in it simular to the first lines of
Goldsmith’s Traveller, however, I would not have you alter one word of
it: simular ideas will call forth something near to the same language in
different authors although they have never seen the works of one another. I
have just now been again perusing your poem on Wealth, as a whole it
pleases me highly – but there are lines in it too which in my opinion hurt it,
and which you may easily alter – I think the piece would be none the worse for
the 6th stanza being expunged – The two following are quite
to the point, but somehow, they dont read very smoothly “Ev’n those wha
affect thy power to despise” — and T’disuade from folly, or
for˄e˄tel the consequence.” I advise you to revise this piece as I
think it does you a good deal of credit. [#] I
am willing to believe that the song of The Simmer Gloamin is natural enough,
and if all others were of your mind, what a genius should I be! I was glad on
finding that it pleased you, but you surely praise it far above its merits.
Proposals have just been issued here for a New periodical work – I dont know
who is to be Editor, but if well conducted I have no doubt of its meeting with
encouragement. The enclosed prospectus1
will show you the plan. Scottish
Song Air
– “Callum Brougach.” ______________ Ye wooer lads wha
greet an’ grane Wha preach an’
fleech, an’ mak’ a mane An’ pine yoursel’s to
skin an’ bane Come a’ to Callum Brougach I’ll learn you here the only art To win a bonie
lassie’s heart Just tip wi’ gowd
Love’s siller dart Like dainty Callum Brougach. I ca’d her ay my
sonsy dow The fairest flow’r
that e’er I knew Yet like a souple
spanky groo She fled frae Callum Brougach, But soon’s she heard
the Guineas ring She turn’d as I had
been a king Wi’ “tak’ my han’, or
any thing, “Dear, d[ai]nty
Callum Brougach!” [#] Its gowd can mak’ the
blin’ to see, Can bring respect
whare nane wad be An’ Cupid ne’er shall
want his fee Frae dainty Callum Brougach; Nae mair wi’ greetin’ blin’ your ein Nae mair wi’ sichin’
warm the win’ But hire the gaitlin’
for your frien’ Like dainty Callum Brougach. ______________________ Scottish
Song Air – “Gilly Callum.” _______________ I’ll hie me to the
sheeling hill And live amang the braes, Callum Ere I gang to
Crochen-Mill I’ll live on hips and slaes, Callum Wealthy pride but ill
can hide Your rankl’d mizly shins, Callum Lyant pow as white’s the tow And beard as rough’s the whins,
Callum. Blithe young
Dougald’s won my heart Has my willing vow, Callum Now, for a’ your
couthy art I winna marry you, Callum Wily woman aft
deceives! Sae ye think, I ween, Callum Trees may keep their
wither’d leaves Till ance they get the green,
Callum. _______________________ The above are to two
very favourite Highland airs of mine. I have never shewn either of them to any
body — Shall be glad to know how you like them – we
will have plenty of time to write soon – being giving over lighting up at
night. I remain yours most
truly R.
Tannahill Emendations: Note • Not[e] [written very lightly in pencil in an
uncertain hand] dainty • d[◊i]nty Copy Text: MS Robertson 1/36 Previous Publications: |