"still it has obtained a place among our more classical Scottish songs; and what with many beauties in its composition, and more prejudices in its favour, you will not find it easy to supplant it." MAXWELTON BANKS. MAXWELTON banks are bonnie, "These two verses," as we are informed by Mr. Robert Chambers, "were written by a Mr. Douglas of Fingland, upon Anne, one of the four daughters of Sir Robert Laurie, first baronet of Maxwelton, by his second wife, who was a daughter of Riddell of Minto. As Sir Robert was created a baronet in the year 1685, it is probable that the verses were composed about the end of the seventeenth or the beginning of the eighteenth century, It is painful to record, that, notwithstanding the ardent and chivalrous affection displayed by Mr. Douglas in his poem, he did not obtain the heroine for a wife: she was married to Mr. Ferguson of Craigdarroch." The first four lines of the second stanza are taken from the old and indecent ballad of "John Anderson my Jo." "John Anderson," as it was sung before it was rendered presentable by Robert Burns, appeared in a very scarce volume of English songs, with the music, entitled "The Convivial Songster," published in 1782. ANNIE LAURIE. MAXWELTON braes are bonnie, Gied me her promise true, Which ne'er forgot will be; Her brow is like the snaw-drift, That e'er the sun shone on; And she's a' the world to me; And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me doun and dee. This song, which is a modern version of the preceding, was the favourite of the British soldiers in their weary encampment before Sebastopol in 1854-5. THE BUSH ABOON TRAQUAIR. ROBERT CRAWFORD. From the "Tea-Table Miscellany," 1724. Traquair is on the bank of the water or river of Quair, in Peebleshire. HEAR me, ye nymphs and ev'ry swain, My vows and sighs, like silent air, That day she smiled, and made me glad, I thought myself the luckiest lad, I tried to soothe my amorous flame Yet now she scornful flies the plain, Ye rural pow'rs, who hear my strains, DOUN THE BURN, DAVIE. WHEN trees did bud and fields were green, When Mary was complete fifteen, Blythe Davie's blinks her heart did move Now Davie did each lad surpass Her cheeks were rosie, red and white; Her looks were like the morning bright, As doun the burn they took their way An' love was aye the tale. With, "Mary, when shall we return, Sic pleasures to renew ?" Quoth Mary, "Love, I like the burn, An' aye will follow you." This song first appeared in Ramsay's "Tea-Table Miscellany." The last stanza was added by Burns, who was informed by the tradition of his neighbourhood, that the air was the composition of one David Maigh, keeper of the bloodhounds to the Laird of Riddell in Roxburghshire. ONE DAY I HEARD MARY SAY. ROBERT CRAWFORD. From the "Tea-Table Miscellany." ONE day I heard Mary say, How shall I leave thee? Say, lovely Adonis, say, has Mary deceived thee? Did e'er her young heart betray, love, that has grieved thee? Adonis, my charming youth, what can relieve thee? But leave thee, leave thee, lad, how shall I leave thee? "One day I heard Mary say' is a fine song," says Burns to Thomson; "but for consistency's sake, alter the name of Adonis. Were there ever such banns published as a purpose of marriage between Adonis and Mary?" MY DEARIE, IF THOU DEE. ROBERT CRAWFORD. From the "Tea-Table Miscellany," 1724 LOVE never more shall give me pain, My fancy's fixed on thee; Nor ever maid my heart shall gain, Thy beauties did such pleasure give, Thy love's so true to me; If fate shall tear thee from my breast, In dreary dreams the night I'll waste, I ne'er can so much virtue find, Nor such perfection see: No new-blown beauty fires my heart With Cupid's raving rage; But thine, which can such sweets impart, 'Twas this that, like the morning sun, Gave joy and life to me; And when its destined day is done, Ye powers that smile on virtuous love, Ye who its faithful flames approve, Restore my Peggie's wonted charms, Those charms so dear to me; Oh, never rob them from those arms I'm lost if Peggy dee. The beautiful air to which this song is sung has been traced back in Ms. to the year 1692; but is probably much older. |