BIB_ID
293460
Accession number
MA 47.2
Creator
Burns, Robert, 1759-1796.
Display Date
[1792 Oct. 27-28]
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1906.
Description
1 item (8 p.) ; 25.5 cm
Notes
"The Lea-rig" first line: When o'er the hill the eastern star.
"The Lea-rig" with a few very minor differences from the published version in Kinsley. The remaining songs are as published in Kinsley.
Address panel with seal but without postmarks and addressed to "Mr. George Thomson / Trustee's Office / Edinr." Docketed "Mr. Burns to G. T. with Verses to the Lea Rigg."
Burns indicates within the letter that it is to be carried by hand to Thomson.
Dated "Friday night" and "Saturday morning" by Burns. Dated to 27-28 October 1792 in Ferguson, p. 154.
Part of a large collection of letters from Robert Burns to George Thomson. See collection record (MA 47 and MA 50) for full description.
Song to the tune of "Ewe bughts Marion" first line: Will ye go to the Indies my Mary.
Song to the tune of "My Nanie, O" first line: Behind yon hills where Lugar flows.
"The Lea-rig" with a few very minor differences from the published version in Kinsley. The remaining songs are as published in Kinsley.
Address panel with seal but without postmarks and addressed to "Mr. George Thomson / Trustee's Office / Edinr." Docketed "Mr. Burns to G. T. with Verses to the Lea Rigg."
Burns indicates within the letter that it is to be carried by hand to Thomson.
Dated "Friday night" and "Saturday morning" by Burns. Dated to 27-28 October 1792 in Ferguson, p. 154.
Part of a large collection of letters from Robert Burns to George Thomson. See collection record (MA 47 and MA 50) for full description.
Song to the tune of "Ewe bughts Marion" first line: Will ye go to the Indies my Mary.
Song to the tune of "My Nanie, O" first line: Behind yon hills where Lugar flows.
Summary
Stating that Thomson is "too fastidious in [his] ideas of Songs & ballads." Acknowledging that Thomson's criticisms are just, but asking "who shall mend the matter?" Giving a draft of the first two stanzas of his "The lea-rig." Discussing Dr. Percy's ballad to the air "Nanie O," remarking on the "sentiment & style of our Scotish airs," and suggesting that his own ballad of "Nanie O" might "do for one set of verses to the tune." Assuring Thomson that he should not feel obliged to accept Burns's verses, noting that he has "nothing to be pleased, or offended at, in your adoption or rejection of my verses." Altering the name of the river in his version of "Nanie O" from Girvan to Lugar, noting that "'Lugar' is the most agreable modulation of syllables." Sending compliments to David Allen and asking Thomson to remember Burns to Alexander Cunningham. Continuing the letter on Saturday morning, giving a copy of his "Nanie O." Agreeing with Thomson's remarks on the tune "Ewe bughts Marion," and discussing his earlier love-songs, which were "breathings of ardent Passion." Giving a copy his verses to this tune, beginning "Will ye go to the Indies my Mary."
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