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ADVERTISEMENT TO VOLUME SIXTH. g
tnbutions, they are not the less grateful for their gratuitous assistance.* In par-
ticular, the Editors would have felt happy in being permitted to enumerate the
many original and beautiful verses that adorn their pages, for which they are in^
debted to the author of the much-admired song, " The Land of the Leal" (vol. 3),
—hut they fear to wound a delicacy which shrinks from all observation. Such re-
serve, however, they apprehend, does not apply in every instance ; and they beg to
return their best acknowledgments to the Ettrick Shepherd for his kind services, in
* We cannot forbear noticing one lilt, sent us anonymously, for the old tune of " Brose and
Butter," as, whatever may be thought of the song, the melody is, we believe, nearly as great a
favourite with some of our friends as it was with Charles II. ; and we are sure our readers will
readily excuse our insertion of an anecdote which has been brought to our remembrance wish-,
ing, as we do, that, when they are in any difficulties, they may know how to use the power of
musical association to as good purpose as the laird of Cockpen.
CHARLES II. AND THE LAIRD OF COCKPEN.*
During the time of Oliver Cromwell's Protectorship, the principal residence of Charles II. was
at the court of his sister in Holland. The laird of Cockpen, a staunch adherent to the House
of Stuart, followed the prince thither, and attached himself to Charles' household. Cockpen
from his skill and proficiency in music, very much contributed to divert his royal master, by
the impressive, manner in which he played the favourite airs of his native country ; but none
pleased Charles so well as the tune of " Brose and Butter.'' So partial was he to this air that
with " Brose and Butter" sounding in his ears he was lulled asleep at night, and with " Brose
and Butter" awaked from his morning slumber. At the Restoration, Cockpen returned to Scot-
land, where he found that, in consequence of his attachment to the royal cause, his estate had
been attainted. Many were the applications he made to have it put again in his possession, but all
to no purpose. He at length went to London, but was coldly received by the courtiers, put off with
fair promises, and in all his attempts to gain an audience of the king, he was baffled and thwarted.
Having formed an intimacy, as a musician, with the organist of the kings' chapel, he solicited,
and obtained, as a special favour, permission to perform on the organ before his majesty, at the
royal chapel. Cockpen exerted his talents to the utmost, thinking to attract the attention of
Charles, but all his efforts were unavailing. On the conclusion of the service, instead of a com-
mon voluntary, in a fit of despair he struck up " Brose and Butter," which no sooner caught
the ear of the king than he flew to the organ-gallery. The regular organist perceiving the vivid
flashes of Charles' eye, was seized with such a panic, that he fell on his knees and protested his
innocence. " It was not me, please your majesty, it was not me !" — " You ! you !" exclaimed
the enraptured monarch, as he hastily passed him, — " You never could play any thing like it in
your life." — Then addressing his old associate in exile, — " Odds fish, Cockpen ! I thought you
would have made me dance." — " I could have dauced to ' Brose and Butter ' once with a light
heart too," replied the performer, — " but my adherence to your majesty's interest has bereft me
of the lands of Cockpen." — " You shall dance," said Charles, — " you shall dance, and be laird of
Cockpen yet." — Accordingly the laird was immediately put in possession of his inheritance.
* Baroa Cockburn's hereditary property.
tnbutions, they are not the less grateful for their gratuitous assistance.* In par-
ticular, the Editors would have felt happy in being permitted to enumerate the
many original and beautiful verses that adorn their pages, for which they are in^
debted to the author of the much-admired song, " The Land of the Leal" (vol. 3),
—hut they fear to wound a delicacy which shrinks from all observation. Such re-
serve, however, they apprehend, does not apply in every instance ; and they beg to
return their best acknowledgments to the Ettrick Shepherd for his kind services, in
* We cannot forbear noticing one lilt, sent us anonymously, for the old tune of " Brose and
Butter," as, whatever may be thought of the song, the melody is, we believe, nearly as great a
favourite with some of our friends as it was with Charles II. ; and we are sure our readers will
readily excuse our insertion of an anecdote which has been brought to our remembrance wish-,
ing, as we do, that, when they are in any difficulties, they may know how to use the power of
musical association to as good purpose as the laird of Cockpen.
CHARLES II. AND THE LAIRD OF COCKPEN.*
During the time of Oliver Cromwell's Protectorship, the principal residence of Charles II. was
at the court of his sister in Holland. The laird of Cockpen, a staunch adherent to the House
of Stuart, followed the prince thither, and attached himself to Charles' household. Cockpen
from his skill and proficiency in music, very much contributed to divert his royal master, by
the impressive, manner in which he played the favourite airs of his native country ; but none
pleased Charles so well as the tune of " Brose and Butter.'' So partial was he to this air that
with " Brose and Butter" sounding in his ears he was lulled asleep at night, and with " Brose
and Butter" awaked from his morning slumber. At the Restoration, Cockpen returned to Scot-
land, where he found that, in consequence of his attachment to the royal cause, his estate had
been attainted. Many were the applications he made to have it put again in his possession, but all
to no purpose. He at length went to London, but was coldly received by the courtiers, put off with
fair promises, and in all his attempts to gain an audience of the king, he was baffled and thwarted.
Having formed an intimacy, as a musician, with the organist of the kings' chapel, he solicited,
and obtained, as a special favour, permission to perform on the organ before his majesty, at the
royal chapel. Cockpen exerted his talents to the utmost, thinking to attract the attention of
Charles, but all his efforts were unavailing. On the conclusion of the service, instead of a com-
mon voluntary, in a fit of despair he struck up " Brose and Butter," which no sooner caught
the ear of the king than he flew to the organ-gallery. The regular organist perceiving the vivid
flashes of Charles' eye, was seized with such a panic, that he fell on his knees and protested his
innocence. " It was not me, please your majesty, it was not me !" — " You ! you !" exclaimed
the enraptured monarch, as he hastily passed him, — " You never could play any thing like it in
your life." — Then addressing his old associate in exile, — " Odds fish, Cockpen ! I thought you
would have made me dance." — " I could have dauced to ' Brose and Butter ' once with a light
heart too," replied the performer, — " but my adherence to your majesty's interest has bereft me
of the lands of Cockpen." — " You shall dance," said Charles, — " you shall dance, and be laird of
Cockpen yet." — Accordingly the laird was immediately put in possession of his inheritance.
* Baroa Cockburn's hereditary property.
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Special collections of printed music > Glen Collection of printed music > Printed music > Scotish minstrel > Volumes 4-6 > (237) Page 3 |
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Permanent URL | https://digital.nls.uk/91346189 |
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Shelfmark | Glen.217a |
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More information |
Description | Scottish songs and music of the 18th and early 19th centuries, including music for the Highland bagpipe. These are selected items from the collection of John Glen (1833 to 1904). Also includes a few manuscripts, some treatises, and other books on the subject. |
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Description | The Glen Collection and the Inglis Collection represent mainly 18th and 19th century Scottish music, including Scottish songs. The collections of Berlioz and Verdi collected by bibliographer Cecil Hopkinson contain contemporary and later editions of the works of the two composers Berlioz and Verdi. |
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