With notes in Thomson's hand.
Dating from Ferguson, p. 306.
"She says she lo'es me best of a'" without edits and as published in Kinsley.
First three stanzas of "Lassie wi' the lintwhite locks -- Tune, Rothiemurche's rant" without edits and as published in Kinsley.
First three stanzas of "Let me in this ae night" to the tune of "Will ye lend me your loom Lass" without edits and as published in Kinsley.
Four stanzas (7-10) from "Song -- Tune, The Sow's tail" with edits by Burns and differing very slightly from published version. See notes in Kinsley for variants.
"She says she lo'es me best of a'" first line: Sae flaxen were her ringlets.
"Lassie wi' the lintwhite locks -- Tune, Rothiemurche's rant" first line: Lassie wi' the lintwhite locks.
"Let me in this ae night" to the tune of "Will ye lend me your loom Lass" first line: O Lassie, art thou sleeping yet.
"Song -- Tune, The Sow's tail" first line: O Philly, happy be the day.
Part of a large collection of letters from Robert Burns to George Thomson. Items are described individually; see collection record (MA 47 and MA 50) for more information.
Mentioning an Irish song that "our friend Cunningham sings delightfully," and giving verses that may be sung "before Ladies," "She says she lo'es me best of a'." Comparing his taste in music to Frederic of Prussa's taste in painting, noting that they both "frequently admired what the connoisseurs decried," and admitting that his own taste in music is "inelegant & vulgar." Discussing the tune "Rothiemurche's rant," noting that Clarke thinks the air "original & beautiful" and giving the first three stanzas of his verses "Lassie wi' the lintwhite locks". Giving the slightly revised first three stanzas of "Let me in this ae night" (to the tune of "Will ye lend me your loom Lass"). Giving four stanzas from his "Song -- Tune, The Sow's tail," noting that he intended to make Mr. and Mrs. Thomson the hero and heroine of the song, but that he does not know Mrs. Thomson's Christian name. Discussing a "droll Scots song, more famous for its humour than delicacy, called, The grey goose & the gled," noting that Clarke has taken down the notes, and giving five verses of the song, noting it is commonly referred to as "Cumnock Psalms" (beginning "As I looked o'er yon castle wa'"). Giving an epigram composed on the renewed health of Jessy Staig. Asking God to grant Thomson patience for "this stupid epistle."