WILT THOU BE MY DEARIE ? Air-" The Sutor's Dochter." I. Wilt thou be my dearie? When sorrow wrings thy gentle heart, Wilt thou let me cheer thee? That's the love I bear thee! I swear and vow that only thou Shall ever be my dearie. Only thou, I swear and vow, Shall ever be my dearie. II. Lassie, say thou lo'es me; Thou, for thine may choose me, [This song is said to have been composed in honour of the charms of Janet Miller, of Dalswinton, mother to the present Earl of Mar, and at that time one of the loveliest women in all the south of Scotland. The Poet thought so well of it, that he gave a copy to Johnson as well as to Thomson.-ED.] BUT LATELY SEEN. Tune-" The winter of life." I. But lately seen in gladsome green, On winter blasts awa! Yet maiden May, in rich array, II. But my white pow, nae kindly thowe My trunk of eild, but buss or beild, Oh! age has weary days, And nights o' sleepless pain! Thou golden time o' youthfu' prime, [Though Burns gave much of his musing-time to the work of Thomson, he did not neglect his earlier friend lisher, Johnson, but contributed new as well as amended lyrics from time to time, and took a lively interest in the success of the work. "The Winter of Life," is one of those communications.-" Perhaps," says the Poet to the pubyou may not find your account lucratively in this business; but you are a patriot for the music of your country; and I am certain posterity will look on themselves as highly indebted to your public spirit. Have you never a fair goddess that leads you a wildgoose-chase of amorous devotion? Let me know a few of her qualities, such as whether she be rather black, or fair; plump or thin; short, or tall: and choose your air, and I shall task my muse to celebrate her." It is not known what reply Johnson made to the latter part of this epistle he was a plain, blunt man, and cared little about the graces of song, or the melody of music, save in the way of his trade.-ED.] TO MARY. Tune-“ Could aught of song." I. COULD aught of song declare my pains, They who but feign a wounded heart II. Then let the sudden bursting sigh [These tender verses seem to have been inspired as much by Hamilton's song of "Ah! the Shepherd's mournful Fate," as by the charms of Mary. It is in one of the latter volumes of Johnson's Musical Museum.-ED.] HERE'S TO THY HEALTH, MY BONNIE LASS. Tune-" Laggan Burn.” I. HERE'S to thy health, my bonnie lass, II. Thou'rt ay sae free informing me I'll be as free informing thee I ken thy friends try ilka means, III. I ken they scorn my low estate, But that does never grieve me ; But I'm as free as any he, Sma' siller will relieve me. |