BIB_ID
293944
Accession number
MA 50.8
Creator
Burns, Robert, 1759-1796.
Display Date
[1794] Nov. 19-20.
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1906.
Description
1 item (12 p.) ; 24.9 cm
Notes
"Can you leave me thus, my Katy" first line: Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy.
"Can you leave me thus, my Katy" with edits by Burns in the first stanza (substituting "you" for "thou") but otherwise as published in Kinsley.
"Saw ye my Phely (quasi dicat, Phillis) Tune, When she cam ben she bobbit" (as published) first line: O saw ye my dearie, my Phely? Variant first line given in manuscript: O saw ye my Dear, my Mary.
"Saw ye my Phely (quasi dicat, Phillis) Tune, When she cam ben she bobbit" substituting "Mary" for "Phely;" "Harry" for "Willie;" and "Dear" for "dearie" but without edits and otherwise as published in Kinsley.
"Song -- Tune, The Sow's tale" first line: O Philly, happy be that day.
"Song -- Tune, The Sow's tale" without edits and as published in Kinsley.
"Song" to the tune of "Lumps o' puddins" first line: Contented wi' little, and cantie wi' mair.
"Song" to the tune of "Lumps o' puddins" without edits and as published in Kinsley.
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.
"Can you leave me thus, my Katy" with edits by Burns in the first stanza (substituting "you" for "thou") but otherwise as published in Kinsley.
"Saw ye my Phely (quasi dicat, Phillis) Tune, When she cam ben she bobbit" (as published) first line: O saw ye my dearie, my Phely? Variant first line given in manuscript: O saw ye my Dear, my Mary.
"Saw ye my Phely (quasi dicat, Phillis) Tune, When she cam ben she bobbit" substituting "Mary" for "Phely;" "Harry" for "Willie;" and "Dear" for "dearie" but without edits and otherwise as published in Kinsley.
"Song -- Tune, The Sow's tale" first line: O Philly, happy be that day.
"Song -- Tune, The Sow's tale" without edits and as published in Kinsley.
"Song" to the tune of "Lumps o' puddins" first line: Contented wi' little, and cantie wi' mair.
"Song" to the tune of "Lumps o' puddins" without edits and as published in Kinsley.
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.
Summary
Giving the verses of "Song -- Tune, The Sow's tale," noting that the song was written that morning and "is not an hour old," and discussing his choice of the name "Philly." Discussing tunes and choruses in general. Giving the verses of "Song" to the tune of "Lumps o' puddins," noting that if Thomson does not "relish it," Burns will send it to James Johnson. Mentioning that the words of "Auld lang syne" are "good," but that the "music is an old air, the rudiments of the modern tune of that name." Continuing the letter on the following day, giving the verses of "Can you leave me thus, my Katy," noting that it is for the tune of "Roy's wife." Giving revised verses of his "Song" (i.e., "Saw ye my Phely (quasi dicat, Phillis) Tune, When she cam ben she bobbit") substituting "Mary" for "Phely" and "Harry" for "Willie." Rejecting some proposed edits by Thomson and discussing the complicated history and relationships of Scottish and Irish songs. Asking Thomson to give David Allen a detailed message about an illustration, offering to send Allen a related "sight" of his own, and noting "I look on Mr. Allen & Mr. Burns to be the only genuine & real Painters of Scotish Costume in the world."
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