Inglis Collection of printed music > Printed text > Early Scottish melodies

212 EARLY SCOTTISH MELODIES.
are adapted to a Highland Strathspey composed by the same author but it
is evidently modelled from the tune called ' The Boatie Rows.' " We are
at a loss to understand Stenhouse's assertion. The tune is a compound of
the old air " Over young to marry yet," and " Cameron's got his wife
again." To " The Boatie Rows " we fail to see any resemblance. The song
possesses considerable humour. In the Scotsman, Jan. 22, 1831, it is stated,
" The Author of the songs, ' The Wee Wifikie,' and ' The Kail Brose o' Auld
Scotland,' is said to be Deacon Alexr. Watson, Tailor, Aberdeen, who died
on the 5th inst., in his 85th year."
492. THERE GROWS A BONIE BRIER BUSH, Etc.
This song, with the exception of a few lines which are old (according
to Stenhouse), was written by Burns for the Museum. It is accordingly
marked with the letter Z, to denote its being an old song with additions.
Burns also communicated the air to which the words are adapted. It
is apparently the progenitor of the improved tune called " For the lake of
gold she's left me." In the fifth volume of the Museum, Johnson inserts
the following note : — " The songs in the four preceding volumes marked B,
R, X, and Z, and the Authors' names, cannot be inserted in this Index, as
the Editor does not know the names of those Gentlemen who have favoured
the Public and him with their productions. There are a number marked
B and R which the Editor is certain are Burns's composition." Yet in this
volume there are some attributed to Burns which are not by him.
Whether Stenhouse is right in ascribing " There grows a bonie brier bush "
to Burns, we know he is wrong concerning the melody. Instead of
assertion we want proof as to which is " the progenitor." " For Lake of
Gold she left me " is contained in the Blaikie Manuscript, 1692.
493. COULD AUGHT OF SONG.
This song was written for the Museum by Burns. The air, however, is
an Anglo-Scottish one by Dr Samuel Howard, which is set to Ramsay's
song in " The Gentle Shepherd," beginning, " At setting day and rising
morn," and included in " Calliope, or English Harmony," vol. ii., page 63,
as " The Faithful Shepherdess." The modulation in the first strain seems
too academic for a Scottish melody.
494. ! DEAR, WHAT CAN THE MATTER BE.
Both this song and its melody are Anglo-Scottish, although neither the
author nor the composer are known. The words and music are not much
earlier than the Museum, 1797 ; at most a few years. The song was
very popular for a considerable length of time, and the tune also in
many forms.