GAFFER'S HOUSE.
JEAN, her lane.
SONG.
Set to Music by MR. R. A. SMITH.[1]
Also by MR. JOHN ROSS, Aberdeen.
Lang syne, beside the woodlan burn,
Among the brume sae yellow,
I leant me neath the milkwhite thorn,
O nature's mossy pillow ;
A roun my seat the flowers were strewed,
That frae the wild wood I had pued,
Tae weave mysel a simmer snood, [2]
Tae pleasure my dear fellow.
I twined the woodbine roun the rose,
Its richer hues tae mellow,
Green sprigs o fragrant birk I chose,
Tae busk the segg sae yellow.
The crawflower blue, an meadow pink,
I wove in primrose-braided link,
But little, little did I think
I shoud hae wove the willow.
My bonnie lad was forct afar,
Tost on the raging billow,
Perhaps he's faun in bludie war,
Or wreckt on rocky shallow.
Yet, ay I hope for his return,
As roun oor wonted haunts I mourn,
And aften by the woodlan burn
I pu the weepin willow. [3]
[1] R. A. Smith (Robert Archibald Smith) was born on 13th November, 1780, at Reading, in Berkshire, and consequently was six and a-half years younger than Tannahill. He was the son of Robert Smith, weaver, a native of Kilbride, who had been for some time a silk weaver in Paisley. His father had left Paisley for better trade, and settled in Reading, where he married Ann Whitcher. The boy Robert gave early indications of musical genius. He was, however, brought up to the trade of a weaver, for which he had no aptitude,—music and musical instruments being his ruling passion. He became a member of a church choir, and also joined the band of a volunteer regiment. The family came to Paisley in 1800, when Robert was twenty years of age. If Robert hated the loom in Reading, he detested the loom in the weaver-town of Paisley. The manners of the young English weaver were so different from the Scottish, particularly the Paisley youths, that a short time elapsed before advances were made on either side towards fellowship. He married in 1802. In 1803, be joined the Band of the Second Regiment of Volunteers, called the “Gentle Corps,” and also commenced the teaching of music. At this period, Tannahill was engaged upon the Interlude of the Soldier's Return, and composing the songs which sparkle with such brilliancy through its pages. These songs have been sung while they were in manuscript; and the singing of the immediately preceding one,
“Blythe was the time when he fee'd wi my Faither, O,”
had a certain effect upon Mr. Smith, who happened to have been present and heard it. In writing a letter to a friend, he related the circumstance,—an extract from which will he found in the “Essay” in the Harp of Renfrewshire of 1819; but, unfortunately, the editor neither gives the date of the letter, nor the person to whom it was addressed. Mr. Smith said—“My first introduction to Tannahill was in consequence of hearing his song, “Blythe was the time,” sung while it was yet in manuscript. I was much struck with the beauty and natural simplicity of the language, that I found means shortly afterwards of being introduced to its author. The acquaintance thus formed between us gradually ripened into a warm and steady friendship that was never interrupted in a single instance till his lamented death.” This introduction probably occurred in the beginning of the year 1804. Mr. Smith was appointed Precentor of the Abbey Church of Paisley in 1807 through the influence of Rev. Robert Boog, D.D., minister of the first charge, and he formed a band, which soon became one of the best choirs in any Presbyterian Church. Dr. Boog himself was passionately fond of music; and with the view of assisting Smith's studies, the doctor introduced him to Walter Young, D.D., minister of Erskine, who was distinguished for his profound and scientific knowledge of harmony. Tannahill, in a letter to James Barr, dated 5th January, 1808 (which will he found in the Correspondence), in reference to Smith, says— “He has been down, on invitation, spending two days of the New Year with the doctor at Erskine.” We have given a copy of the handbill issued by Smith, informing the ladies and gentlemen of Paisley that he would give a concert on Tuesday, 3rd May, 1808. It will be found among the Correspondence. During 1821-24, Smith published his Scottish Minstrel in 6 vols. In August, 1823, he was appointed Precentor of Saint George's Church, Edinburgh. In 1827, his Select Melodies appeared. Mr. Smith was also a poet, and six of his songs have been printed. He died at Edinburgh on 3rd January, 1829, in the 49th year of his age.—Ed.
[2] Emblematic of a maid.—Ed.
[3] To pull the willow.—To go into mourning for a sweetheart.—Ed.